Ein cyf / Our ref: 276/10/FOI
Eich cyf / Your ref:
Rhif Ysbyty / Hospital Number:
Rhif GIG / NHS Number:
:
Gofynnwch am / Ask for:
Ffacs / Fax:
E-bost / Email:
Dyddiad / Date:
24th September 2010
Dear
Thank you for your letter dated 24th August 2010 and may I take this opportunity to
apologise for the delay in responding.
I have responded to the issues you have raised and have addressed them under individual
headings, I hope that this meets with your approval.
Website Information:
We are aware that the information relating to the Prosthetic Limb Service needs updating,
and staff have been asked to submit new information to enable us to do so.
Our main focus over the past year has been in improving the information for the Posture
and Mobility Service (Wheelchairs) as part of a wider project around communicating with
Service Users, referrers, carers and the public. The experiences and lessons learned from
that project will impact on the information published for the Prosthetic Limb Service.
As a Service we welcome and appreciate any information or suggestions from Service
Users and aim to ensure that all information is reviewed and added as appropriate.
Recording, Reporting and Standards of Service:
NASDAB has unfortunately ceased to exist; this was, in part, due to under subscription
from other services, which resulted in a subsequent lack of funding.
Our main focus for reporting continues to be driven from a service delivery perspective, at
present the North Wales Service reports on a monthly basis to the Welsh Health
Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC). This takes the form of a data report, which is
currently being redesigned in cooperation with WHSSC, and a monthly Performance
Meeting attended by the Commissioner of this Service and management representation
from all 3 centers, Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea.
All ALAS services are currently under national review and we are anticipating that new
Cyfeiriad Gohebiaeth ar gyfer y Cadeirydd a'r Prif Weithredwr / Correspondence address for Chairman and Chief Executive:
Swyddfa'r Gweithredwyr / Executives’ Office,
Ysbyty Gwynedd, Penrhosgarnedd
Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2PW
Gwefan: www.pbc.cymru.nhs.uk / Web: www.bcu.wales.nhs.uk
performance indicators will be set as part of this review. We expect a better focus on
service delivery and satisfaction elements, as opposed to waiting times, which are largely
irrelevant in the Prosthetic Limb Service context.
When these indicators are known and reporting implemented, we aim to be able to make
all relevant information available.
More information may be available from WHSSC direct. Please click on the following link
to obtain their contact details: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/home.cfm?orgid=898
Some standards are based less on formal Key Performance Indicators and take the form
of national guidelines for prescription and assessment. These are developed
cooperatively between the clinical staff in all 3 Prosthetic Limb Services in Wales. The
services meet every 6 months via V.C. to discuss service issues and identify
improvements. National clinical events are organized with the aim to help the practitioners
identify best clinical practice and share professional experience.
Staffing:
We currently do not have any vacancies in the Prosthetic Limb Service, but as you have
identified, there are two posts where the staff are not currently on active duty within this
Service. This is being managed with support from our Clinical Programme Group.
Service User demographic and referral rate:
Our current number of Service Users in the Prosthetic Service is:
Adult
Paediatric
Total
652
22
674
Over the period 08/09/2009 to 07/09/2010 we received 54 primary referrals (first
assessment per amputation episode), giving an average of 4.5 primary referrals per
month. The primary episode is focused on assessment and provision – subsequent
activity also takes place around review of need and maintenance of prostheses.
Satisfaction Survey:
We have established a system for feedback from patients and users of this Service and
have been collating the results for some time. The Prosthetic Service Users comprise the
highest return rate we have, as they have the easiest access to the survey due to high
clinic attendance. No formal analysis has been done prior to this request due to the low
sample numbers – the Service normally reviews the surveys as they are submitted and
actions any significant issues raised from the comments made. We continually strive to
find ways to improve the sample and return rate.
We have been collecting these for some time, and the Prosthetic Service Users comprise
the highest return rate we have, as they have the easiest access to the survey due to high
clinic attendance. No formal analysis has been done prior to this request due to the low
sample numbers – the Service normally reads the surveys as they are submitted and
actions any significant issues raised in the comments made. We are looking at ways to
improve the sample and return rate.
However, as specifically requested, please find below the summarised result for the North
Wales submissions for the Prosthetic Limb Service 2010 to date (17 submissions made):
I trust that you will be satisfied with the information provided however; should you be
dissatisfied for any reason you do have a right to complain to the Health Board and ask for
your request to be reviewed. Should you wish to register a complaint please contact the
Freedom of Information Department at the following address:
Complaints Department
Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board
Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, LL57 2PW
Tel: 01286 662798
I would like to assure you that the Health Board is committed to resolving complaints
amicably and will always try to resolve the matter to your reasonable satisfaction.
However, if you are still unhappy with the response you receive you may write to:
Information Commissioners Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF
Telephone: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45 Website: http:\\www.ico.gov.uk
There is no charge for making an appeal.
If you have any further concerns of require any further information please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Yours sincerely