Health and care partners back ‘Blood in Pee’ campaign

Published on Jul 26, 2018

Health and care partners in North Yorkshire are urging people to be aware of the early signs of bladder and kidney cancers and to go to their doctor if they see blood in their pee – even if it’s just the once.

‘Blood in pee’ is part of the national Be Clear on Cancer (BCOC) campaign from Public Health England in partnership with the Department of Health, NHS England and Cancer Research UK. Around 300 people in North Yorkshire are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer each year and approximately 120 people die.

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Governing Body Associate GP Member, Dr Jenni Lawrence, said: “As a GP in the Scarborough and Ryedale District, I’ve been involved in work to improve early diagnosis rates for bladder and kidney cancers. An important part of this is our blood in pee one stop clinic in Malton. Patients just have to see their GP to get a referral, and then go along to the clinic where they can receive all the tests needed in one place – and get an answer quickly.”

Bladder and kidney cancers can affect people of all ages, but the risk of these cancers increases as people get older and are most common in those over 50.

Blood in pee is a key symptom for both bladder and kidney cancer. Other bladder cancer symptoms include a urinary tract infection (cystitis) that is difficult to treat or comes back quickly after treatment and pain when peeing. Other kidney cancer symptoms include a pain in the side below the ribs that doesn’t go away, and weight loss.

County Councillor Caroline Dickinson, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Public Health, Prevention and Supported Housing, said: “The aim of Be Clear on Cancer campaigns is to increase public awareness of key cancer symptoms and to encourage people with those symptoms to see their GP early. This new campaign stresses how important it is if you notice blood in your pee, even if it’s ‘just the once’, to tell your doctor straight away.

“Blood in pee is a key symptom of both bladder and kidney cancers. The chances are it’s nothing serious, but these cancers are more treatable if they are found early.

“The campaign also asks people to look before they flush the toilet – and to go to see their GP if they notice blood in their pee. You’re not wasting anyone’s time by getting your symptoms checked out. And if you’ve been to the doctor but your symptoms haven’t gone away, go back – they’ll want to know and early diagnosis and treatment could save your life.”

Read More

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group backs NHS recruitment campaign

Published on Jul 16, 2018

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group is backing a national campaign which aims to address staff shortages in the NHS.

The priority is to increase recruitment into the NHS, and improve the retention of existing staff.

Key areas currently facing the worst shortages including mental health, learning disability and community and general practice nursing, will be prioritised.

Our CCG Chairman, Dr Phil Garnett, said: “Remedying the staff shortages in GP surgeries and hospitals is one of the biggest challenges we face.

“As a CCG, we’re already doing lots to attract new doctors to work in our local practices and we’re expanding the range of healthcare professionals people can see.

“There are significant workforce challenges at Scarborough Hospital, so any measures that can be taken to address those are to be welcomed.”

The campaign launched on 3 July 2018 and has been designed to increase positive perceptions and pride in working within the NHS.

The campaign is running across TV and radio, and is also being promoted through digital and social media using the #wearetheNHS.

Read More

‘Encouraging start’ for Humber Trust’s new model of community care in Scarborough and Ryedale

Published on Jun 14, 2018

The new adult community care service in Scarborough and Ryedale received almost 1,800 referrals in its first four weeks, new figures have revealed.

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust (FT) said it handled 1,787 referrals made via its Customer Access Service (CAS), a single point of contact providing access to round-the-clock care, between 1 and 28 May.

The Trust also revealed that 1,849 individual patients received 9,147 face-to-face contacts during the same period, with the third week (2,477) proving the busiest.

Dr Peter Billingsley, Associate Chairman of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group, which commissioned the new service, said: “I am delighted that Humber FT has got off to such a strong start in delivering adult community services for the people of Scarborough and Ryedale.

“The fact patients can access community and specialist nursing, therapeutic services and support from dietetics and stroke professionals with just one phone call is a huge benefit. It means we are able to offer patients streamlined and joined-up care to meet their needs. This vastly improves quality of life and wellbeing as well as being able to keep patients at home, where appropriate, avoiding disruptive and unnecessary hospital stays.”

Julia Harrison-Mizon, Humber FT’s Care Group Director for Primary Care, Community, Children’s and Learning Disability Services, said she was pleased with the data and paid tribute to the staff involved. “These figures show our new system is performing well,” she said, adding that “all of our staff deserve our thanks for their hard work.

“Although it’s still early days, we’ve made an encouraging start and now need to keep up the momentum to ensure we continue delivering the best possible service to our patients.”

The figures show the Trust’s CAS received 3,134 phone calls during the first four weeks of the contract, with the number peaking in the second week (884). Staff transferred 4,140 patients and have since registered a further 1,568 patients on the Trust’s electronic patient record system – SystmOne.

Patients can access services including community and specialist nursing, therapeutic services, dietetics, and stroke. They all receive personalised care designed to keep them in their own homes whenever it is possible and safe to do so.

The Trust’s front-line clinical teams are delivering the services by working with GPs, councils, the charity and voluntary sector and other key organisations.

Mrs Harrison-Mizon added: “Our partners have all played their part in helping us make a success of the launch. Working together more effectively is one of our key aims, and so far it’s going very well.”

The Trust will provide the services for up to seven years under the terms of an £80 million contract with its commissioners, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group.

Read More

Funding awarded for improved mental health services for new and expectant mums in North Yorkshire

Published on May 8, 2018

The three North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have been successful in securing funding for perinatal mental health as part of a £23 million national scheme announced by NHS England.

This money will enable enhanced specialist community mental health services for new and expectant mums within North Yorkshire.

There’s more in the national NHS England media release, here.

Speaking on behalf of the health service commissioners in North Yorkshire, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG’s clinical lead for mental health, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “Having good mental health begins before you are born.

“It is vital that expectant mums have the best access to mental health services throughout their pregnancy and in the first few months after giving birth.

“This increase in perinatal funding will help NHS staff to deliver more services to mums and their babies and improve the long term outlook for mental health in our community.”

Amanda Bloor, Chief Officer of NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG as the lead commissioner for the three North Yorkshire CCGs said: “We are delighted that this funding has been awarded. We know that we need to improve community mental health services available for new and expectant mums across North Yorkshire.

“With the funding announced today we will be better able to deliver accessible, high quality, specialist mental health services in the right place and at the right time for women and families, as well as improve opportunities for early intervention and support.

“This dedicated funding will enable us to enhance specialist care available and to better meet the needs of our local population.”

Read More

Red letter day for staff and patients as Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust begins community services contract

Published on May 1, 2018

The care of more than 5,000 patients has today (1 May) transferred to Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust (Humber FT) as the health provider takes responsibility for providing many adult community services in Scarborough and Ryedale.

More than 200 staff have also moved to the Trust from the previous provider, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, following preparatory work which began in the autumn.

Humber Trust Chief Executive, Michele Moran, said: “Today is a momentous day for the Trust and caps months of hard work with our commissioners, fellow health providers, GPs, local councils, the charity and voluntary sector and other key organisations.

“We’re delighted to welcome our new patients and staff and hope they will enjoy either receiving care from the Trust or working with us as we strive to provide truly outstanding care from day one. It’s fantastic to have them all on board.”

The Trust has introduced a new model of care which it hopes will make it simpler and easier for people across Scarborough and Ryedale to access care.

Under the model, patients can call a single telephone number to access round-the-clock care, including community nursing, specialist nursing, therapy services, dietetics, stroke and other services.

Care is personalised and patients can receive treatment in their own homes, avoiding admission to hospital whenever it is possible and safe to do so.

Real patient experiences have been used to shape the model, which allows every doctor, nurse or health worker involved in a patient’s care to be granted the same view of their medical record, subject to the patient’s consent.

Crucially, this avoids the need for patients to have to repeat details of their medical history whenever they seek treatment, providing a more joined-up approach to services.

Ms Moran added: “NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) made it clear to the Trust that they want us to provide high-quality, personalised care which enables people to remain in their own homes whenever possible.

“We believe we have the skills, systems and infrastructure in place to deliver the adult community services our commissioners and patients expect and deserve.”

The Trust will provide the services for up to seven years under the terms of an £80 million contract with NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG.

Read More