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.
24 Malling
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
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-
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.
National award for surgeon
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.”
Award for dedicated blood donor A LARKFIELD woman has received an award for donating 75 pints of blood over 30 years.
Christine Evenden, who works at the X- Ray department in Maidstone Hospital, was presented with the award at a ceremony in Croydon.
Almost anyone between the ages of 17 and 65 can become a blood donor if they are in good health – for more information about be- coming a donor, please visit
http://www.blood.co.uk For more information, call the communi- cations team, on 01622 225858 or 01622 226423.
Cheaper options for GP prescriptions THE West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group is introducing Script Switch in to many GP practices. The software flags up ef- fective prescription alternatives that are cheaper.
C-diff ID cards
to be offered CARRIERS of C-diff in the Malling area are to be given health alert cards.
More than 120 carriers were identified in West Kent last year, all of whom have a greater chance of catching it again. The cards are being offered by GPs and hospitals to known carriers to ensure they are pre- scribed the correct antibiotics, should the need arise. Karen Proctor, director of nursing at Kent Community Health NHS Trust, said: “By showing the card when visiting their nurse, GP or dentist, pa- tients will be able to get the best support and ensure that any medication prescribed won’t adversely affect their condition. “Ultimately, these cards form part of our campaign to reduce hospital and community ac- quired infections.”
Quit to keep fit SMOKERS who sign up to quit with the Kent Community Health NHS Trust (KCHT) Stop Smoking Service will receive a voucher for up to £40 to use for classes or towards membership at Maidstone Leisure Centre when they kick the habit. The campaign, run by KCHT and Kent County Council, is open to smokers who complete a seven-week quit course. Call 0800 849 4444 or text ‘Quit’ to 87023 to find out more, or go online at
www.smokefreekent.co.uk.
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
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