search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
News | Health


downsmail.co.uk


MAIDSTONE,Aylesford and theWeald are emergingwith a very strong case for one ormore of the potential newlocal NHS care health hubs. Amajor strategic report commis-


sioned by the GP-led budget-hold- ing NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) highlights rapidly-growing Maid- stone’s needwith itsmany areas of deprivation and lack of an NHS community hospital. The report recommends three


hubs for West Kent (Maidstone, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks) plus twomini hubs linked toMaidstone located in theWeald andAylesford area. Existing buildings could be adapted/enlarged. “The three plus two option


scores very favourably on the fi- nancial assessment,” says the re- port. Total capital costs are estimated between £44m/£47m with annual revenue costs around £4m. The CCG sees the hubs as a


“route towards managing in- creased service demand and devel- oping


more integrated


out-of-hospital services, bringing care closer to patients.” Precise hub locations have still to


be considered and amain criterion is that 80% of the population should be able to access a hub in


Mental health GPs across Kent say they find it challenging to refer patients into secondarymental health services. After a reviewof the quality and


completeness ofGP referrals,work is underway to assess the impact on patients and to consider solu- tions. There is a shortage of staff in communitymental health teams in WestKent and this impacts on pro- vision of care coordinators.


GP pressures A SIGNIFICANT number of GP practices across Kent are operating “on the edge of viability”, top doc- tors havewarned. Challenges grow as the popula-


tion and patient contacts both in- crease. About 12%ofGP posts and 30%of practice nurse posts remain unfilled. A new Primary Care Board is to be established for Kent.


Cancer pathway A COURSE has been held for GPs in Maidstone to ensure the right patients are referred for investiga- tions for the two-week hospital cancer pathway.


34 Maidstone October 2018


Astrong case for health hubs The benefits


HEALTH hubs would potentially bring out-of-hospital care and will be tailor-made to local needs. They will provide multi-discipli-


nary teams working with patients with complex needs. They could provide clinical space


and offices for teams of nursing, medical, therapy, social care and mental health staff, as well as links to local council services. Much will be achieved in a single-day visit. They could also ensure patients


and GPs access to specialist opin- ions and care, reducing pressure on hospitals. Some hubs could be linked to an on-site GP practice. The CCG says services could in-


under 30 minutes off-peak drive time or 45 minutes total journey time on public transport. There is also a requirement that


100% of recognised areas of depri- vation are included in the 80%. Of the 34 deprived areas listed in


WestKent 21 are inMaidstone Bor- ough (in the wards of Park Wood, Shepway South,High Street, Shep- way North, East, North, Marden and Yalding, Bridge,NorthDowns


and Fant). Eight are in Malling (in the


wards of Trench, East Malling, Aylesford South, Snodland East, Hadlowand East Peckham). At its August meeting the CCG


agreed to explore in detail the po- tential of the two options and pos- sible sites – three main hubs and three hubswith twomini hubs. No firm commitment has yet beenmade to develop hubs.


clude diagnostic testing,X-rays and ultrasound, treatment forminor in- juries, a falls service, diabetes, podi- atryandmusculoskeletal servicesas well as outpatient appointments. They are also seen as away of in-


tegrating health and social care. Dr Bob Bowes, West Kent CCG


chairman, said: “As people live longer, local health and care serv- ices need to change. Services for frail people and with complex needs are fragmented and finding the right service can be time-con- suming and frustrating.”


Boosting home help services


INVESTMENT in both the local Rapid Response andHome Treat- ment services is being increased by the GP-ledWest Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The aim of the NHS is that ur-


gent and emergency care services should be redesigned to integrate services around the patient – “de- livering the right care at the right time and in the right setting”. There is evidence that patients


with acute needs have better out- comes if they are treated rapidly, and patients associate rapid care with good care.


WITHfive people fromMaidstone waiting for life-saving transplant surgery and seven recovering after receiving a new organ, an appeal has gone out for more families to discuss theirwishes to donate. Latest figures show that 66 peo-


ple died inKentwaiting for a trans- plant in the last five years – 10 from Maidstone. NHS Blood and Transplant says while more people are donating,


The CCG increasingly commis-


sions serviceswhich shift the bal- ance from acute hospitals to the community. Rapid Response and Home Treatment services play a key role in this strategic vision. The Rapid Response team is


nurse-led, and operates non stop through the year, with teams at Coxheath Clinic and Tonbridge Cottage Hospital. They work in patients’ own


homes, thus preventing hospital admissions (average seven a day) and avoidable emergency atten- dances. They also promote inde-


more need to tell their families of theirwishes. Anthony Clarkson, from NHS


Blood and Transplant, says regis- tration is increasing and 66,178 people are nowon the organ donor register.However, he adds: “Organ donation legislationwill change to a deemed consent systemin future, but the harsh fact is people are dying nowwaiting for an organ. “Please let your family know


pendent living and improved self- caremanagement. Home Treatment is also geared


to avoiding hospital admissions and provides treatment at home. Theywork closelywithRapidRe- sponse and nurses specialising in complex care, community and heart failure. They also support patientswho have been discharge to their own homes. Both services have become very


successful and busy, and an addi- tional investment of more than £1m (to a total of £3,583,509) will allow themto expand and cope.


Would-be donors urged to talk to families


your decision and ask themif they want to be donors. Don’t leave your family guessing what you would havewanted to happen.” There are 6,000 people waiting


for an organ transplant across the UK, says the service.Hearts are the least frequently transplanted, 197 last year and the waiting list is growing and is currently 284. To register visit www.orgando- nation.nhs.uk.


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