Posts Tagged ‘scarborough’
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 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.”
Read MorePeople experiencing anxiety and depression this Christmas encouraged to seek help through talking therapy
Published on Nov 29, 2018
North Yorkshire GPs are urging residents to seek help if the strains of Christmas begin to take a toll on mental health.
With the pressure to socialise, temptation to overindulge and finances stretched, this can be a particularly stressful time of year.
The inclement winter weather and dark days mean it can also be especially difficult for people who are alone or have been bereaved.
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is encouraging residents to refer themselves to an NHS talking therapy service in North Yorkshire known as IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies), if they feel they are at a low ebb.
Dr Peter Billingsley, Associate Chair of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the clinical lead on mental health, said: “We know that the winter and festive period is particularly challenging for people who experience mental health difficulties. If you, or someone you care for, start to feel the need for mental health support, you can contact the IAPT service directly which means you don’t have to see your GP first.
“We also think it’s important for patients to know that the IAPT service is not a crisis or urgent response service for people who are severely unwell. You should always dial 999 in a medical emergency, call NHS 111 for any urgent concerns or ring your local GP practice if you feel IAPT is not for you and you are looking for alternative support.
“You can also visit www.tewv.nhs.uk/IAPTNYorks to find contact details for your local crisis support team.”
One in four people will experience difficulties in their mental health at some point in their lives. Significant events or a build-up of stresses such as work place problems, a change in life circumstances, a traumatic event or a specific phobia could lead to difficulties managing mental wellbeing. Problems with low mood, depression and anxiety can develop and make it difficult for us to cope with life’s daily demands.
IAPT can support people experiencing mild to moderate difficulties with any of the following:
depression
anxiety and worry
panic attacks
health anxiety
social phobia
specific phobias
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Andrew Wright, North Yorkshire IAPT Service Manager with the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust said: “To make sure IAPT is right for you, you will be offered a focused initial assessment over the phone, (alternative arrangements can be made if required).
“At the end of the assessment you will be directed to the most appropriate support for your needs. This might include guided self-learning, attending a psychoeducational course, computerised guided self-help, or in some cases cognitive behavioural therapy.
“If you would prefer to discuss things with your GP first, please make an appointment. Your GP can also help you refer to IAPT, or to a suitable alternative.”
IAPT is a national NHS programme to increase the availability of talking therapy treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to treat anxiety and depression.
More information can be found here: www.tewv.nhs.uk/IAPTNYorks, or dial 01947 899270 if you are a patient registered at a GP practice in the NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG area.
Local IAPT service contact details for patient self-referrals:
Northallerton, Gibraltar House, Thurston Road, Northallerton, DL6 2NA
01609 768890
Whitby (also for NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG patients), Whitby Hospital, Springhill, Whitby, YO21 1EE
01947 899270
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