A BLUEPRINT of how NHS services will undergo massive changes in theMaidstone area is emerging in the new GP-led West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group. It says health and care services need to change and is consulting on the blueprint. The aim is to organise care to enable people to be as independent as possible and to visit hospital only when “absolutely essential”. For residents the keys will be:
How big health changes will affect you Getting more for less
By Dennis Fowle
THE blueprint claims better care is cheaper. It avoids delays in diagnosis and treatment and reduces deteriorations that drive up care costs. Greater independence for patients and car-
ers through better information and education for guided self-care reduces the demand for formal, professional care.
Keep fit: A co-ordinated NHS approach is proposed, with health and well-being partners using individual and collective ef- forts to tackle the root causes of problems, including alcohol, tobacco and obesity. Close to Home: The NHS wants people to stay independent and at home for as long as possible, and to be treated close to home rather than in hospital. It sees use of tele- health, patient-held records and personal health budgets.
The proposal is to support people to take responsibility for their health and care. This will include intensive education about their conditions and how they can manage them, peer support, information and signposting to appropriate voluntary and community options, and fast and easy access to daily living aids.
Supported housing and domiciliary care could be commissioned to enable people to remain at home as long as possible. Local community and voluntary organisations
Parking application MAIDSTONE Hospital is ap- plying to Maidstone Council for 120 more parking places and is encouraging residents to write in support to the council.
Endoscopy service A NEW endoscopy unit at Maidstone means the trust has “a urology and endoscopy serv- ice to be proud of, including a high-quality bowel screening service,” according to a report.
Stroke targets met THEtrustsaysitismeeting stroke targets, with 80% of pa- tients spending 90% of time on a stroke unit. Patients stay in the stroke ward three to five days before going to a rehabili- tation unit or returning home.
Staff cost concerns CONCERNS have been ex- pressed to the trust about the cost of hiring extra staff to achieve clinical performance. The trust is reviewing ways of working and sustainability.
Fighting fraud THE West Kent Clinical Com- missioning Group is encourag- ing staff to reveal NHS fraud and corruption, assuring those who voice suspicions need not fear recriminations.
Good report for A&E THE trust is one of the best re- gional performers for meeting the four-hour A&E wait target according to a recent report.
Parking refunds THE trust is ensuring patients delayed in clinics are offered a parking refund.
22 Town
Enhanced care in the community means less need for expanding costly infrastructure. Dr Bob Bowes, chair of NHS West Kent CCG,
said: “We know that over the coming years de- mand on services is likely to increase, but budgets won’t. “Rather than waiting for this to happen, the CCG and partner organisations are being proactive in trying to find better and more in- tegrated ways of working.”
could be encouraged to provide health and care support for both patients and carers. New primary care: A key proposal is that new integrated primary care teams could be formed, including GP practices, community services, social work and mental health support, to respond to patient needs around the clock.
The idea is that GP practices could be net- worked in to clusters, so patients receive a consistent range of services wherever they live. These clusters could have local access to essential diagnostics. These teams would
make it easy for people to see them. This could include consultations by phone, longer opening times and efficient appoint- ments systems. Night and weekend care may be offered by another organisation. All members of the primary care team would use the same unified electronic pa- tient records. They would be proactive, tar- geting people at risk of developing conditions or deterioration in their condi- tions. They would call people to see them rather than waiting for patients to seek help. The current out-of-hours services could be redesigned and integral and not seen as a separate element. The teams “own” their patients and follow them up when they need specialist care, planning their return home as soon as possible.
There would be specialist professionals to take a care management and co-ordination role for patients with the most complex health needs. They would access consultant opinion and advice to support patients without sending them to hospital. Paramedics could provide direct care at the point a patient becomes ill. Specialist doctors, nurses and therapists would have a health promotion role, encouraging positive changes in healthy behaviour. End-of-life care: Provides an opportunity for people with life-long illnesses (or their carers and families) to discuss the type of care they would like to receive in the last days of their life.
Blackthorn Trust thanks supporters
THE Blackthorn Trust Charity held a partnerships pres- entation evening at The Pantry at Thomas Place. The charity, in St Andrew’s Road, helps local people with physical and mental health challenges to rebuild their lives through therapy and working in the charity’s café, garden, bakery and craft workshops. The evening was organised to give Jan Prior (Black- thorn chief executive) and Dr David McGavin (chief medical officer) an opportunity to thank the many valu- able partnerships that support the charity and also demonstrate how vital they are in enabling joint work- ing on many issues including providing work place- ments and volunteering opportunities. It was attended by many local businesses, Kent County Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Golding Homes, Sainsburys and local artist Beryl Bush who held an art exhibition on the night to benefit Black- thorn. Guests were able to hear about the great work that continues to take place and see and purchase craft,
AN ORTHOPAEDIC surgeon from Maidstone has been named “best in medical” at the inaugural British Indian Awards.
The awards recognise and celebrate the role that peo- ple of Indian heritage
groups and businesses play in Great Britain.
Bijayendra Singh of Trapham Road, a consultant at BMI The Somerfield Hospital, received the award at an event in Birm- ingham.
Around 10,000 nominations were made in 18 different cate-
Jyoti Walia, Jan Prior (Blackthorn CEO), Paula Waterman (court manager for Thomas Place) and Ravider Kalsi (The Pantry)
bread, plants and herbal products all produced at the charity. Blackthorn Trust thanked Ravider Kalsi (The Pantry)
and Paula Waterman (Thomas Place court manager) for hosting the event.
National award for surgeon Hospital fete
gories, including hospital doc- tors, GPs and dentists. Mr Singh is a consultant or- thopaedic surgeon who spe- cialises in problems of the upper limb.
He is an active member of the Indian Orthopaedic Society and is currently serving as its honorary treasurer.
In congratulating Mr Singh on his achievement, executive director of BMI Somerfield Hospital, Connie Stocker said: “He is such a popular figure amongst our patients, staff and colleagues.
“There is no doubt that Mr Singh truly deserved to win, he works very hard and is one of our most compassionate sur- geons.”
MAIDSTONE Hospital is hold- ing its summer fete from noon to 4pm on Saturday, September 7.
The stalls will include a tombola, home-made cakes, bric-a-brac, barbecue and tea tent, and there will be demon- strations by the Harmony vari- ety group, Punch and Judy, and Jaws and Claws.
Entrance is 50p for adults and parking is free. Proceeds go to Maidstone Hospital League of Friends.
Cheaper options THE West Kent Clinical Com- missioning Group is introduc- ing Script Switch in to many GP practices. The software flags up effective prescription alter- natives that are cheaper.
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48