Posts by Tim Readman
Patients urged to cancel doctors’ appointments if they are no longer needed
Published on Jan 17, 2019
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is asking patients to do their bit for the local health service this winter by cancelling GP appointments if they are no longer needed.
Nationally, more than 15 million general practice appointments are being wasted each year because patients do not turn up and fail to warn surgeries they do not need the appointment.
That’s around one in 20 of all appointments with doctors, nurses, therapists and other practice staff that could be made available to other patients.
The cost of the wasted appointments is the equivalent of:
the annual salary of 2,325 full time GPs
224,640 cataract operations
58,320 hip replacement operations
216,000 drug treatment courses for Alzheimer’s
the annual salary of 8,424 full time community nurses
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Clinical Chair and family GP, Dr Phil Garnett, said: “At any time of the year but especially in winter when demand on local health services increases, it’s very important that appointment slots are not going to waste.
“Our message is clear: if you cannot make it to your appointment or no longer need a consultation, please let your GP practice know in advance so the appointment can be used by another patient.”
There are 12 GP practices in Scarborough and the part of Ryedale overseen by NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, collectively looking after almost 120,000 patients.
Read MoreTen Year Plan for NHS is published
Published on Jan 8, 2019
The NHS Long Term Plan is the national health service’s plan to make sure it is fit for the future. It aims to give everyone the best start in life, will deliver world-class care for major health problems such as cancer and mental health, and will help people age well.
The plan, backed by extra investment, has been developed by people who know the NHS best – frontline health and care staff, patients and their families, and other experts – who will continue to shape how it is implemented across the country.
Over the next few months, the NHS in Scarborough and Ryedale will be working with patients, the public and partners – including local councils, the voluntary and community sector and social care – to develop local plans to turn the national ambitions contained in the Long Term Plan into real improvements to services and outcomes for patients, building on the progress we’ve already made together over the last few years.
More details about opportunities to help shape our local plans will be shared shortly. In the meantime, to read a copy of the national plan and find out more visit www.longtermplan.nhs.uk.
Read MoreWinter vomiting bug and other illnesses on the rise
Published on Jan 7, 2019
Health professionals in Scarborough and Ryedale are seeing a rise in the numbers of people with the winter vomiting bug and other seasonal illnesses.
While the numbers are not necessarily out of the ordinary, GPs and other clinicians say patients and their carers can help reduce the risk of winter infections being transmitted through good hygiene, regular hand-washing and ample hydration.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s Infection, Prevention and Control Team said: “There has been a rise in the number of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting, influenza and chest infections in the community over the past few weeks.
“We would like to remind people they can help reduce the risk of infection through good hygiene and it’s also important that people who are suffering with a winter illness maintain hydration levels to avoid getting more poorly.”
There’s further information about norovirus, here.
Read MoreMusical backed by NHS and mental health charities comes to Stephen Joseph Theatre
Published on Jan 3, 2019
An award-winning comedy musical that throws glitter at depression backed by NHS and mental health charities Mind and Mental Health Foundation is coming to Scarborough.
Silent Uproar is bringing A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) to Stephen Joseph Theatre on 5 – 6 February, after impressing crowds and critics alike at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
In addition to the cast and crew being able to talk to people affected by any of the issues in the show, the company is also arranging for mental healthcare volunteers to be on hand after performances to signpost them to help available.
Scarborough GP and Clinical Lead for Mental Health, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “One in four people in the UK experience depression and yet millions of people still don’t talk about their condition as they think it will affect their jobs or relationships.
“The show could be an incredibly powerful way of showcasing mental health and how it can affect people as well as breaking down any stereotypes and educating people who still don’t fully understand depression or even believe it’s a thing.”
The show was shortlisted for the Mental Health Foundation’s first ever Mental Health Fringe Award at Edinburgh Fringe last year and is influenced by the company’s personal experiences, it has also been informed by people living with mental health problems and medical professionals.
Silent Uproar is a Hull-based new writing company, commissioning writers to create playful and provocative work to help make the world a little less grim.
Tickets for Scarborough start from £10 and are available on the Stephen Joseph Theatre website.
For more information, go to www.silentuproarproductions.co.uk.
Read MoreCCG welcomes funding boost for Scarborough Hospital
Published on Dec 20, 2018
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has welcomed a £40 million funding boost to upgrade Scarborough Hospital’s emergency department.
The money will be used to create a Combined Emergency Assessment Unit, which will help staff assess patients more quickly and make sure they get the right type of treatment sooner.
Part of a successful £88.5 million bid submitted through the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership, it will take investment in buildings and infrastructure at Scarborough Hospital to more than £80 million since 2012.
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Chairman, Dr Phil Garnett, said: “This is fantastic news for hospital services in Scarborough and should be loudly welcomed by patients.
“The money will be used to create a first-class assessment centre at Scarborough Hospital and demonstrates the commitment of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to maintaining and improving services for patients in the town and surrounding area.
“Importantly, we also believe it will make Scarborough Hospital a much more attractive place to work and will help tackle some of the retention and recruitment difficulties faced by the Trust in recent years.”
Mike Proctor, Chief Executive of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is the news we’ve been waiting for and is fantastic for both patients and staff, signaling our commitment to investing in Scarborough Hospital.
“This much-needed development means we can improve and streamline how patients are assessed, admitted and treated, which should reduce the time that people wait in the department and ultimately improve patient safety.”
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