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 efforts 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
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 integrated 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 into clusters, so patients receive a consistent range of services wherever they live. These clusters could have local access to essential diagnostics. These teams would
Richard III at Boughton Monchelsea Place
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 patient records. They would be proactive, targeting people at risk of developing con- ditions or deterioration in their conditions. 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.
NO RAIN, no wind – just the lovely Boughton Monchelsea Place and Changeling’s Richard III.
This 13th county-wide tour, brilliantly directed by Rob Forknall, was a winner all the way. Alex Scott directed the musical accompaniment, play - ed by the gifted and musical cast.
Alex Mugnaioni, in a black almost punk costume, leapt
Villainy at a fast and furious pace JOHN
MUNSON SHOW TIME
about the stage at a spider-like speed, as the evil Richard. He was utterly convincing. His wooing of Anne in Act I and his asking for Queen Eliza- beth’s help in wooing her daughter in Act 4 was planned and moved by actors and di-
rector so well. We admired Richard’s skill at villainy and Shakespeare’s understanding of it.
This was a comprehensible
play ing of Richard with a su- perb cast. It was set out of doors, but with every one of the cast giving the classic dia- logue full strength and beauty. There was lots of clever and well -cast doubling up of parts. Fast and furious, this was a fully convincing production. Congratulations to the team.
Fence divides committee’s opinions
IT may be just 1m high, made from stockproof wire and sepa- rates private gardens, but a fence in East Farleigh left Maid- stone Council’s planning com- mittee in a fluster.
East Farleigh Parish Council pointed out that in 1980, when permission was granted to con- vert Court Lodge Farm Oast in Lower Road into four separate homes, a condition stated there should be no physical divisions between the properties. Frank Pennal’s retrospective application to keep the fence in place created a lengthy de- bate on whether it was in keep- ing with the Medway Valley and the open countryside in general.
Cllr Dennis Collins’ proposal to accept the fence as it was failed to gain a majority of votes, as did Cllr Tony Har- wood’s suggestion to build a
16 South
The fence in East Farleigh prompted much
discussion
Forum a chance to get involved
MAIDSTONE’S Hazlitt Theatre once again hosted the popular Older Persons Forum run by Voluntary Action Maidstone. Some 120 people enjoyed a talk from Group Captain Patrick Tootal RAF about his work as the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent; an inspiring presentation by Paul Skelly about Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust; and Carol Vizzard gave a fasci- nating history of Maidstone using a map from 1650. Organised by Brighter Fu- tures (part of Voluntary Action Maidstone) and chaired by Peter Spearink, the event al- lows people aged over 55 to en- gage with service providers. Manager of Brighter Futures, Danny Hewis, said: “For us to continue with its success we would like people who care about their community to join our steering group.”
Anyone who wants to attend or volunteer as part of the steer- ing group call Voluntary Action Maidstone on 01622 677337.
hedgerow alongside to make it less urbanised.
There was also a lack of sup- port for Cllr John Wilson’s call for it to be refused for harming the rural nature of the area. Eventually, at the fourth time of asking, a motion was ac-
cepted, with Cllr Harwood’s proposed condition of new trees planted near the fence – softening the landscape with- out encouraging the fence’s per- manence – gained eight votes in favour, with one against and three abstentions.
Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk
Fighting NHS fraud THE West Kent Clinical Com- missioning Group is encourag- ing staff to reveal NHS fraud, assuring those who speak up need not fear recriminations.
Cheaper options THE West Kent Clinical Com- missioning Group is introduc- ingScriptSwitchtomanyGP practices. The software flags up effective and cheaper prescrip- tion alternatives.
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