News | Health
THENHSWest Kent Clinical Com- missioning Group (CCG) is backing the decision to commission in Kent an “integrated lifestyle” service. It would essentially be a public
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Lifesty NHS facing local cuts le focus
health prevention service covering smoking, obesity and alcohol aimed mainly at those with long-term con- ditions and cancer prevention. It is likely to be provided by groups of GP practices.
Faster service THE CCG received a report on Kent improvements to the child and adolescent mental health serv- ices, which showed “clear im- provements to waiting times” and numberswaiting for treatment sig- nificantly reduced.
Quicker scans WORK progresses on improving stroke services at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals with more patients receiving a CT scan within one hour.
Special needs care
A GROUP of experts is reporting nationally on how to provide health and care for patients with learning difficulties to reduce re- liance on hospital care.
CUTS in local NHS services are threatened now the GP-led West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group is running over budget for the first time. The group is almost halfway through the year with an over- spend of about £4m. The governing body could face difficult decisions. Most overspend relates to in- creasing activity at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals – but there are concerns too about costs of other stakeholders. Urgent dis-
Children’sA&E
WEST KentCCGis working with the trust on national recommen- dations for paediatric pathways in A&E to ensure standards are being met. Consultant cover was criticised in a CQC report.
Respiratory help
A CONSULTANT-LED team for managing high-risk chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being planned byWest Kent Clin- ical Commissioning Group (CCG) for delivery by Maidstone and TunbridgeWells Hospital Trust. This is expected to help patients
cussions are being held with the hospital trust to bring activity under control – but the problem is expected to worsen before getting better. The problems appear to be facing
many similar groups. Chief officer Ian Ayres said it was a national issue and a current political chal- lenge in a system “with a huge number of pressures”. The group is investigating urgent
steps to meet budget by year-end and prevent carrying forward a
with long-term respiratory condi- tions and reduce unplanned hos- pital admissions by 20% and ensure prevention programmes including smoking cessation, healthy exercise andweight loss.
Falls prevention
FALLS prevention funding at local hospitals includes low-rise beds, alarm mats and non-slip socks.
Stroke changes
THEtrust has “recognised that the current stroke service does not provide best care for patients in a consistent manner.” There is a
deficit into next year. These will in- clude reducing unnecessary GP re- ferrals to the hospitals; maximising effectiveness of contracts; review- ing high A&E usage; and closing Romneyward at MaidstoneHospi- tal where special care is provided mainly for the elderly. Chief officer Ian Ayres said the
group was looking at changes to some services to improve them for patients and to deliver within budget.A recovery plan should be put before the next meeting.
“case for change” and possible re- design of the service offered at both trust hospitals.
Transport beer
THE patient transport service provided by NSL Transport lo- cally is seen as “generally im- proved” since November but further improvements were needed to make it more reliable.
Positive response
PEOPLE are now seen as receiv- ing “positive care” from NHS 111 after its problematic start – but with room still for improvement.
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