Read All About It!
February 2012
Issue 40
Welcome to this edition of the GP Practice Newsletter which gives news and up-dates from us.
We hope that all the staff within your Practice will find this useful.
Patients at the Heart of the NHS - Partners in Care Conference
Patients and health professionals came together in Manchester on 7th February to learn from each other
about delivering the best care for patients.
The Partners in Care Conference was the first time an NHS
organisation and The Patients Association have come
together to organise such a learning event.
The conference was hosted by the Patients Association's
Vice President, Angela Rippon and speakers included many
staff from our Trust, together with:
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Dame Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer,
Department of Health
Kathryn Hudson, Deputy Ombudsman, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Deborah Westhead, Acting Regional Director, Care Quality Commission
Professor David Oliver, National Clinical Director for Older People, Department of Health
Martine Price, Head of Patient Experience, Musgrove Park Hospital
Sir Stephen Moss, Chair, Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust
Gill Heaton, Chief Nurse at our Trust said: "Our organisation prides itself on the excellent care we strive to
give to our patients. Over recent years we have introduced a number of projects to ensure that standards
are not only maintained, but are improved, such as our Quality Campaign and Brilliant Basics initiative. We
are excited that this event will give us the chance to not only show case our work, but to learn from others
what improvement opportunities could be developed for the future."
Angela Rippon Vice President at the Patients Association says: "Action needs to be taken to combat poor
care where it occurs on our hospital wards, something that has been highlighted in several reports
published by the Patients Association and others. The Patients Association is leading the way in
encouraging joint initiatives on patient care within the health service, and in ensuring that the issue remains
at the top of the NHS agenda. I am really looking forward to hearing from our outstanding panel of experts
and debating with them to hear their ideas for improving the way that the NHS cares for people in hospital.
I would like to think that the lessons learnt during the course of the day will have a direct impact on the care
that is being delivered across the country."
Pathology Services
The Directorate of Laboratory Medicine (DLM) recently carried out a survey of the 27 GP Practices for
whom we are the primary pathology service provider. Responses were invited from all staff within the
Practices including; medical, nursing, administrative, support and other health care professionals. Overall
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we received a rating of excellent and a number of positive comments. The DLM has actively responded to
a number of highlighted issues and the full report can be found here –
http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/info-for-health-professionals/laboratory-medicine/new-in-laboratory-medicine/how-primary-care-users-rate-our-pathology-services.aspx
If you would like to know more about how we can support your Practice please contact Alison Cartmill,
Directorate Operations/Primary Care Services Manager on 0161 276 4694, [email protected].
New Pathway for the Treatment of Patients with Hepatitis C
The Health Protection Agency estimates that there are 250,000 people with Hepatitis C in the UK, while
some estimates put the prevalence as high as 466,000. Most people go undiagnosed and less than half
receive treatment.
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that can cause inflammation, swelling and scarring of the liver tissue, and
often leads to significant liver damage. Greater Manchester has the highest levels of hepatitis C in
England, with estimates reaching around 16,000 cases, due largely to its high prevalence among the
sizeable local injecting drug using population. Without a doubt, hepatitis C is an escalating public health
issue that will cost the NHS up to £8 billion over the next 30 years unless testing and treatment is
improved.
The Greater Manchester Hepatitis C Strategy, in partnership with NHS Greater Manchester, has developed
a new clinical care pathway for the treatment of people with suspected hepatitis C. The new pathway puts
patient care at the heart and will streamline and shorten the various processes a patient needs to go
through.
At present, General Practitioners carry out a basic test on patients to see if they have hepatitis C antibodies
in their system. About 20-30 per cent of people clear the virus from their bodies and so the problem with
this test is that it does not show if the virus is still present. This means the patient is then referred to
secondary care ie. hospital, for further tests.
What the new pathway promotes is for GPs to do a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) which detects
whether or not the hepatitis C virus is still in the patient's system. This cuts out the need for patients to be
referred to secondary care, wait to see a Consultant and then wait for testing and results. Patients who
show as positive in both tests will then be referred directly to the nearest or preferred treatment centre
instead of being referred to a local gastroenterologist first. In Greater Manchester there are four treatment
centres including North Manchester General Hospital (Lead Consultant, Dr Vilar), Manchester Royal
Infirmary (Lead Consultant, Dr Prince), Royal Albert Edward Infirmary (Lead Consultant, Dr Banait), and
Wythenshawe Hospital (Lead Consultant, Dr Newton).
Further details: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/media-centre/latest-news/new-pathway-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-hepatitis-c.aspx
Team Wins Top UK Award for Service for Pregnant Women
with Heart Problems
Saint Mary's have won the RCM Award for 'Excellence in Maternity Care',
one of the UK's top midwifery prizes at the Royal College of Midwives
(RCM) Annual Awards.
The award was given for their work with pregnant women with complex
heart problems, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. The two
midwives and their wider team set up a specialist service in 2004. This
involved appointing a specialist midwife and also moving antenatal
appointments for these women from the outpatients department to the
antenatal clinic. This simple change meant that the focus was more on
the women's' pregnancy and wellbeing, rather than their heart condition,
and generated very positive responses from the women using the
service.
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Alongside this the team also arranged for the other relevant clinics the women need to attend to run at the
same time. This made it easier for the women to have different aspects of their care managed together
during one visit, rather than multiple visits to different clinics.
The high dependency facilities on the Delivery Unit were also improved and expanded, enable some
women with heart disease requiring critical care around the time of delivery to be looked after on in a
maternity environment, instead of being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. This means they are not
separated from their baby and improves bonding between mother and baby and enables breastfeeding.
For further details: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/media-centre/latest-news/saint-marys-get-to-the-heart-of-maternity-care.aspx
Trafford Hospital Services Review - Come and Talk to the Doctors
Local Trafford residents have the chance to hear from doctors
about the review of Trafford's hospital services at events across
the borough during February and March:
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Wednesday 29th February, 6.00 pm-8.00 pm, Partington
Primary School, Partington
Monday 5th March, 6.30 pm-8.30 pm, Seymour Park
Primary School, Old Trafford
Wednesday 7th March, 6.00 pm-8.00 pm, Broomwood Centre, Timperley
Following a presentation about why these services may need to change, those attending the events will be
asked to take part in a workshop to:
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Give their views on what they've heard from the doctors
Tell us about their views and experiences in the specific clinical areas being reviewed, including
urgent care, out-patients, day case surgery and orthopaedics
Give their views on the proposed checklist that will be used to assess any potential service changes
during a formal consultation process
These are RSVP events, so to book visit www.healthdeal.trafford.nhs.uk e-mail [email protected]
or call 0161 873 6008.
Vascular Awareness Week 2012
Did you know that Vascular Disease is as common as cancer and heart disease – affecting 4 million people
each year in the UK alone and accounting for 200,000 preventable deaths?
If you have a patient with claudication, they would benefit from advice on the whole range of risk-factor
reduction strategies and lifestyle advice to prevent peripheral, cardiac or cerebrovascular events.
Patients with suspected or clinical vascular disease can be referred to Mr JV Smyth, Mr F Serracino-Inglott
or Mr D Murray at the Regional Vascular and Endovascular Unit at Manchester Royal Infirmary. We
provide one stop Consultant clinics to reduce the numbers of visits to the hospital and time to treatment.
The Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Department at Central Manchester Foundation Trust also
provides the full range of surgical and endovascular interventions for vascular conditions such as
aneurysms, critical limb ischaemia and stroke, in addition to claudication.
For more information about Vascular Disease Awareness Week, please click on the following link:
http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/media/329590/vascular%20awareness%20week%202012.pdf
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End of Life
Central Manchester district nurses are currently working on a project which aims to improve end of life care
for residents living in residential homes. Over the past 6 years, 358 people who live in Central Manchester
Residential Homes have died and 54% of these deaths have been in a hospital. It is hoped that by
providing training to residential home staff and working closely with the homes to improve end of life care
the number of residents who die in their preferred place of care will be increased.
A training programme for residential home staff has been developed which includes an introduction to end
of life planning, end of life care and communication skills. Each home will identify a champion for the
project and the staff will be supported to raise awareness about end of life, develop end of life care plans
with their residents and identify residents who may be suitable for the supportive care pathway.
The first homes to become involved are Russley Lodge, Carrickfinn and St Georges and if successful, the
programme will be rolled out to all other residential homes in Central Manchester.
If you would like any further information about this project please contact Caroline Lowthian, Head of
Service for District Nursing, at [email protected].
Humphrey Takes on George Sampson
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital mascot
Humphrey Bear has been warming up for the
Great Manchester Run weekend by challenging
Britain’s Got Talent star George Sampson to a
street-dance off.
If you would like to know Humphrey got on then a
short film of the dance battle can be viewed on
Youtube by searching for George V Humphrey or
RMCH Charity.
If you would like to get involved in the 10k run taking place on Sunday 20th May in support of any of our
hospitals, or if you have children who would like to take part in the mini to junior runs on Saturday 19th May
then please contact Clare McManmon on 276 4404 or e-mail [email protected]
Fly High for Charity
If you are up for the challenge of a lifetime then why not sign up to take part in our bespoke skydiving day
on Sunday 15th July and help to raise funds for our family of five hospitals.
After climbing to 14,000 feet you will exit the aircraft with your highly experienced British Parachute
Association Instructor and freefall for 30 seconds, reaching a speed of about 120 miles per hour! Your
descent under the large parachute will then take several minutes, and family and friends can watch and
cheer as you make your landing.
The jump takes place at Black Knights Parachute Centre in Cockerham, Lancaster. All participants will
receive a free fundraising pack, including t-shirt, sponsor forms and information on setting up your own
justgiving.com page! For more information, or to request a registration form, contact Clare in the charity
office on 0161 276 4404 or e-mail [email protected]. Alternative dates are available.
Dedicated Phone line for GPs
If a patient needs to be admitted to one of our hospitals or you need urgent advice you should call 0800
515 807.
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Calls to this number are given a higher priority of answer on the Switchboard and are directed straight to
the top of the queue ensuring that the caller does not wait long for a response
Information for Patients
If you are referring patients to us and need to provide them with information about how to find us, parking
etc all this information is available on our website. From the home page there are links at the top to each
hospital and each hospital has a Plan Your Visit section. Under this section there is a Map and Directions
option. This page has downloadable maps. Here are the links to each of the pages for our hospitals:
Manchester Royal Infirmary: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/royal-infirmary/plan-your-visit.aspx
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/childrens-hospitals/plan-your-visit.aspx
University Dental Hospital of Manchester: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/dental/plan-your-visit.aspx
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/royal-eye/plan-your-visit.aspx
Saint Mary’s Hospital: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/saint-marys/plan-your-visit.aspx
Dial Direct
If you need to contact a department in our hospitals please call them direct. Direct dial numbers are
available on our internet:
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/childrens-hospitals/contact-us.aspx
Manchester Dental Hospital: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/dental/contact-us.aspx
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/royal-eye/contact-us.aspx
Manchester Royal Infirmary: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/royal-infirmary/contact-us.aspx
Saint Mary’s Hospital: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/saint-marys/contact-us.aspx
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Become a member of our Foundation Trust: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/trust/foundation-trust.aspx
New DVD on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHYCT8EJkUY
Thank you for your time. If you have any comments or items you would wish to see in future editions
please contact The Communications Office e-mail: [email protected]
Previous copies of the Newsletter are available at: http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/info-for-health-professionals/gpnewsletter.aspx
Produced by: Yvonne Davies, Head of Communications & PR
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27 February 2012
www.cmft.nhs.uk
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