News | Health
Hospital in crisis over care patients
DELAYS in dischargingmedically- fit patients from MaidstoneHospi- tal to suitable care are causing serious problems for the hospital trust.
Chief executive Glenn Douglas
told his board the key problems were a lack of nursing home capac- ity locally and a change in focus by social services,which no longer had staff based in hospitals to help. In- stead the service focused on pre- venting people attending hospital. He added: “Delayed transfers of
care” had risen in the past two years and become more evident since so- cial services’ reorganisation in April. He referred to patients who had completed the acute hospital phase of their care and required intermedi- ate community hospital care or resi-
dential/nursing home placement. Trust chairman Tony Jones said an efficient discharge system was es- sential, particularly with winter coming. The hospital has made Romney ward available to patients requiring care. The trust has also considered providing its own nurs- inghomecapacity but this had fund- ing and staffing problems. The trust says the impact of com-
plex discharge needs had required escalation beds to be kept open, ad- versely affected length of stay and impacted on use of agency staff. “The trust cannot continue with the current circumstances,” said Mr Douglas. It is working with social services
and Kent Community Health Trust to find solutions.
Digital health records to improve treatment
HEALTH records of allWest Kent patients, including almost 250,000 in the Maidstone area, are to be made available to professionals at the touch of a computer button. The aim is to help health and so-
cial care workers improve safety, speed and quality of care. The decision to buy and imple-
ment an IT system and infrastruc- ture to support digital sharing of care information and care plan- ning has been made by the GP-led NHSWest Kent Clinical Commis- sioning Group, which now holds most local NHS purse strings. The group says: “Patients expect
all their care providers to see the same information. They are frus- trated when they have to repeat in- formation they have already given to other care providers.
“Patients also want to be more
involved in their care through ac- cess to their information.” A reduction is forecast in pa-
tients and carers reaching crisis and needing hospital care. A lim- ited first phase aimed at long-term conditions likely to need hospital admissions, end-of-life care plans and frail elderly should be opera- tional by March and progressed across West Kent in two further stages during a three-year period. The capital cost of the transfor- mational scheme is estimated at £4.56m for the first three years with £6m revenue costs – but the financial benefits during five years could top £10m. It is seen as a key enabler to de-
livering the local NHS five-year plan for “Mapping the future”.
How the scheme will work in practice
AN example is given of how the scheme would help elderly patient Mr Jones, who relies on oxygen kept at home to help him breathe. Subject to panic, he calls an ambulance but the team has no knowledge
of his history and has no alternative but to take him to hospital. However, with access to his computerised history, the crew can calm him
down and see that support is available from his son. His GP and care team see what has happened. The system informs re-
views of his care plan and enables changes to avoid similar incidents hap- pening in the future.
Wi-fi on wards
PATIENTS, staff and visitors at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals will be able to access wi-fi in the New Year thanks to help from the League of Friends at both sites.
42 Books appeal
MAIDSTONE Hospital’s League of Friends is appealing for un- wanted books for its bookshop. Anyone with books in good con- dition to donate can call Olive Burton on 01622 690343.
Maidstone East December 2014
The award-winning infection prevention team: Jacqui Griffin, Dr Sara Mumford, Sarah Fielder, Alyson Bicheno and Daniel Moore
Infection team wins award
A TEAM from Maidstone and TunbridgeWells NHS Trust has picked up the runners-up title in this year’s Infection Prevention Team of the Year awards. Theywere recognised for their focus, effective teamwork, leadership
and for the “design and implementation of a rapid improvement programme that has had a dramatic impact on both infection and cross infection” at both hospitals. The awards ceremony in Glasgowwas attended by team members Dr
Sara Mumford, Sarah Fielder and Jacqui Griffin. Dr Mumford, director of infection prevention and control, said: “We
are absolutely delighted to have come second nationally in this category. It is fantastic that all the hardwork put in over several years has been recognised.”
Overspend means £10m budget cuts
RECENT overspends have caused the GP-led NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group to agree 2014/15 cuts it hopes will save up to £10m from the £480m budget. The overspends are largely
due to public demands on both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals. The savings should eliminate a potential loss for this year and provide a small surplus to help the group meet next year’s finan- cial challenges. Chairman Bob Bowes told the group: “We need to deliver these cost reductions to avoid cutting services.” About 45 projects face cuts ranging from about £1m down to less than £20,000. Highest profile for patients and GPs: Controlling medication pre- scriptions The group wants to see more generic medicines pre- scribed and fewer more expen- sive medicines, although patient needs will be priori- tised. In line with national pol- icy it sees fewer antibiotics prescribed. Overall it is target- ing nine fewer prescriptions a
month per GP across its 62 GP practices – but is not expecting any impact on patient health. Elective surgery is targeted nationally to an 18-week period and the group believes it can save about £1m by hitting that target, not improving on it as can happen now. GP practices are budgeted to save £500,000 through efficien- cies (such as phone consulta- tions, longer opening hours and better use of locums) and fewer consultant referrals and visits to A&E. Surgeries are advised by GP peers. Contractual challenges The group expects to save about £1m through tighter control of payments to suppliers, includ- ing hospitals. Outpatients Introducing Kinesis software will enable GPs to contact consultants, often saving the need for pa- tient appointments. Ophthalmology rapid eye service To be carried out more by highly-trained optometrists and less by consultants, taking the strain off eye clinics.
downsmail.co.uk
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