Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
October 2013
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New eye care referral system for North Devon Patients in Devon’s care homes benefit from better medicines advice Patients in North Devon are set to benefit from a new eye care referral system that improves the diagnosis and treatment of ocular hypertension.
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Community comes first as CCG shortlisted for awards The CCG has reached a prestigious awards finals for the way its staff work with the local community. Sally Parker, community relations manager for the CCG’s western locality, has been shortlisted for NHS Community Leader of the Year as part of the South West NHS Leadership Academy awards. Lorna Collingwood-Burke, the CCG’s deputy chief nurse, was also shortlisted for NHS Partnership/ Leader of the Year, showing how the CCG is working closely with partner agencies to benefit patients. Nick Pearson, head of communications and community relations, has been shortlisted for NHS Emerging Leader of the Year.
Residents at Devon’s care homes are benefiting thanks to the staff getting helpful advice and support on the safe use of medicines. NEW Devon CCG and Plymouth City Council are working together to implement good practice, sharing ideas and contributing to keep care home service users safe. It follows the publication in 2010 of ‘The Care Homes Use of Medicines Study’ which was funded by the Department of Health. The study revealed a high prevalence of errors in medications in care homes. Read more on page 7...
Read more on page two...
Rebecca Harriott, the CCG’s chief officer, said she was delighted that Lorna, Sally and Nick had been shortlisted. “This is great news for the CCG and recognises how our staff are striving to make sure our patients have the best possible experience when using local healthcare
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
October 2013
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Local people helping to shape future healthcare in Torrington Local people in Torrington and the surrounding area are having their say on how the local community hospital could be best used in the future. The CCG is listening to local people and is now running a public involvement exercise which began on 1 October and is set to last eight weeks. The question being asked of local is people is: “What should the role of Torrington Community Hospital be in the future, for the greatest benefit of people in and around Torrington?” The exercise is being led jointly by NEW Devon CCG, and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT), which runs services in the area, including the community hospital. Inpatient beds at the community hospital are open to admissions for the involvement exercise, which runs until 26 November 2013.
A six-month evaluation of the enhanced model of home-based care currently used in Torrington and the surrounding area also launched at the same time. DR CHRIS BOWMAN No decision about the long-term future of the hospital beds will be made before spring 2014. Dr Chris Bowman, a GP from North Devon and vice chair of the CCG’s northern locality, said: “This is a real opportunity for people in and around Torrington to tell us what sort of care they would like to see closer to home. We know travel is a problem in rural communities, so what else could be brought into Torrington to save those difficult journeys? What needs aren’t currently being met and how could the hospital be used to fill this gap?
“Once we’ve looked at people’s ideas and tested them, we’ll be able to put the results alongside the evaluation of home-based care to shape ideas for the longer term.” Kate Lyons, director of operations at NDHT, said: “We know patients like being cared for at home, in familiar surroundings and with the support they need. We want to ensure this care is effective and of a high quality, which is why we are planning a more formal evaluation.” l needs
Meeting loca
A 16-page document called ‘Meeting Local Needs’ was prepared for people in support of the eight-week exercise. It has been distributed to local venues across Greater Torrington and can also be downloaded from: www.torringtoncares.co.uk. with local have been talking services in the few months, we other community Over the past the hospital and people about ement Torrington area. ement and engag want to involv an ed we launch November, and We have now will run until 26 exercise, which about: Hospital hear from you gton Community e in and the role of Torrin of peopl What should , for the greatest benefit be in the future gton? around Torrin and of the involvement places in needs copies Meeting local find You can ent in many public engagement documsurrounding parishes – for the al, GP practices, Torrington and local library, hospites. example, the halls, church post office, parish load a copy from You can also down es.co.uk www.torringtoncar Involving you
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Patient champion appointed The CCG’s northern locality has appointed a new patient representative, also known as a ‘lay member’. Carol McCormack-Hole BEM was appointed following an open interview process and will now sit on the clinical board as a representative of people in North Devon. One of Carol’s main responsibilities is to make sure patients and the public are being given an opportunity to influence decisions about healthcare developments.
Next stage of NHS 111 in North Devon People in North Devon are among the first in the county to use the new free single NHS number for all their non-emergency health needs, including out-of-hours GPs. For the rest of Devon, the call-handling aspects of these out-of-hours GP calls currently being provided by Devon Doctors will be migrated over to 111 between now and April 2014. However, the clinical services for out of hours will still be provided by Devon Doctors. continued from page 1... Ocular hypertension is a rise in the pressure within the eye and is one of the signs of glaucoma which, if untreated, can lead to blindness.
healthcare in shaping future area in the Torrington 1 October - 26
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information in If you need this such as audio another format disk, Braille, tape or computer contrast, British large print, high translated or Sign Language please into another language, PALS desk on telephone the 01271 314090.
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November 2013
From April 2014 patients registered with a North Devon GP who show signs of ocular hypertension will have further tests from their doctor or optometrist to confirm the nature of their condition and receive appropriate treatment without being automatically referred to hospital.
Dr Tim Chesworth, a GP and board member for the northern locality of NEW Devon CCG, said: “This has the potential to improve the quality of care for patients and save them an unnecessary trip to their local hospital eye department when we know they would prefer to receive their care closer to home.” The new eye care referral system will be in place until 31 March 2014 when it will be reviewed.
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
October 2013
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Tiverton MIU plans THREE bidders have expressed a strong interest in running a minor injuries unit (MIU) in Tiverton and District Hospital. NEW Devon CCG has started a formal tender process to run the doctor-led MIU, which, in accordance with the wishes of the community, would be open 14 hours a day. The chosen provider will be announced in December. The preferred bidder will then undergo a due diligence process before it can take over running the MIU. The contract will cover the period between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2016, while the outcome of the wider NEW Devon CCG Transforming Community Services (TCS) is being concluded. TCS is a national programme which aims to give patients better access to a wide range of health services in the community. NEW Devon CCG is developing such services to help patients remain at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admission. From 1 November the MIU will be open seven days a week, 8am-10pm.
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We are very pleased that three organisations have come forward to be considered to provide services at the MIU at Tiverton. We are beginning the tendering process this week and will keep local people and the Tiverton CHOICE group involved at every stage.
John Finn, managing director, eastern LOCALITY
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
October 2013
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Derriford Hospital Open Day Derriford Hospital’s first Open Day in more than a decade has been hailed a great success. Thousands of people came along to the hospital on Saturday 28 September to find out what goes on behind its doors and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust said “initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Almost 1,000 visitors attended in the first hour to look around departments including main theatres, children’s theatre, the fracture clinic and maternity unit. Children brought their teddy bears along for treatment and many were interested in finding out more about careers in the NHS.
At the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which followed the Open Day, the chairman and chief executive both spoke of the pride shown by staff in their services and the enjoyment everyone was taking in the day. “A fantastic day that’s really giving something back to the community,” said one visitor.
If you were at the Open Day, please tell the hospital what you thought with this quick feedback survey...
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Council and health – working together to improve mental health services Dementia services A dementia worker service has been jointly commissioned by the CCG and Plymouth City Council from the Alzheimer’s Society. The service means when a patient visits their GP they will be referred for assessment at a memory clinic when appropriate.
In Plymouth and West Devon, council and health teams are finding new ways of working together to improve services for patients now they are housed in one building. Just some examples of these improvements include the joint commissioning of dementia services and mental health recovery services.
If a patient is diagnosed with dementia he/she will be given information about the dementia support service and will be referred if appropriate. There are five support workers who can then see the patient at the memory clinic or arrange a home visit. MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY The way people who are recovering from mental health issues are cared for has changed. A new service, commissioned by the two organisations, brings together mental health nurses and support workers for people living in supported accommodation.
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
October 2013
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Older people have their say in Eastern Devon older people’s day Older people in the Exmouth area have been having their say about local healthcare issues at a recent event hosted by the Exmouth branch of Devon Senior Voice. The CCG’s community relations manager ran an information stand and talked to members of the public about the role of the CCG, as well as the draft commissioning priorities for the Woodbury, Exmouth and Budleigh (WEB) sub-locality.
TALKING TO MID DEVON VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR GPs in Mid Devon recently met providers of voluntary and community services in the area to give them a flavour of what the CCG was doing to develop effective services for the community, and how they can become involved. Dr Alex Degan, a GP from Mid Devon and chair of the transforming community services (TCS) project, talked through the emerging thoughts from the first phase of the TCS process. He also introduced the adults with complex needs pathway, focusing on prevention, crisis and rehabilitation. TCS is a national programme to give patients access to a wider range of services in the community.
If you want to know more or get involved in healthcare developments in Eastern Devon, go to the CCG’s website...
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UPCOMING events
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Improving healthcare for lesbian, gay and bisexual people
Joint Patient Carer northern event:
NEW Devon CCG has been successful in a bid to take part in national charity Stonewall’s Health Champion programme.
Joint Patient Carer eastern event:
It is the only CCG in the South West to be accepted onto the programme this year and one of just five CCGs in England.
Tuesday 22 October, 9:30am2:45pm, RHS Rosemoor, Torrington Tuesday 26 November, 9:30am-2:45pm, The Isca Bow, Summer Lane, Exeter
Be Involved Devon – ‘Coming Together’ meetings: Friday 25
October, 12.30-3pm, Exeter VCS, Wat Tyler House, King William Street, Exeter; and Tuesday 29 October, 12.30-3pm, Alexandra Road Resource Centre, Barnstaple For more information on these and other Healthwatch public and community events click here...
Dermatology training day for GPs GPs are looking at ways to manage the demand for skin treatment in secondary care and improve the experience for patients. A dermatology training day for GPs takes place on Wednesday 20 November.
Involvement in the programme means the CCG becomes a health champion for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, who should expect to benefit from improved health services. Jenny Winslade, chief nurse for NEW Devon CCG, said:“We are delighted and proud to have been chosen by Stonewall to become a health champion for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. “As part of our pledge to involve people in healthcare developments we are committed to gathering views from lesbian, gay and bisexual people in our local communities so we can learn what is important to them. The story was covered by Devon’s local BBC Spotlight. If you want to know more, click here...
We want to make sure our healthcare providers are sufficiently meeting the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, leading to identification of the underlying causes of their health problems sooner rather than wasting time and money on misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Jenny Winslade, chief nurse, NEW DEVON CCG
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
October 2013
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Devon’s NHS prepares for winter
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New non-emergency patient transport services providers for Devon Patients in Devon who need to use non-emergency patient transport to get to hospital appointments are benefiting from longer service times, including evenings and bank holidays. This follows changes to the providers of non-emergency patient transport services (PTS) in Devon.
GPs have issued a set of hints and tips on how to stay healthy during the winter months. Keep an eye out for the tips in Devon County Council’s magazine Connect, which gets delivered to all households in the county council’s area or click here to see messages on the CCG website (see bottom of page).
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From 1 October 2013 PTS will be provided by ERS Medical for the Plymouth area and NSL for the rest of Devon and Cornwall. The South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust patient transport service will continue to provide journeys for South Devon and Torbay. NSL and ERS Medical will provide PTS for eligible patients 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Patient transport services are funded by the CCG for patients with a medical need for non-urgent, planned transportation to and from healthcare services (not primary care services). PTS is a vital resource for those who need it and should not be seen as an alternative to a
taxi or as a means to avoid the inconvenience or cost of parking. Patients need to meet the medical need criteria for transport to qualify for the service. South Western Ambulance Services NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), the current provider, will no longer run PTS in Devon. Rebecca Harriott, chief officer for NEW Devon CCG, thanked SWASFT for its provision of patient transport services and said the CCG looks forward to continuing to work with the trust on its excellent provision of 999 emergency services.
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Patient choice for MRI and non-obstetric ultrasound For the first time patients are now able to choose where they have their MRI or non-obstetric ultrasound. They can also choose an appointment time to suit them. Patients can select a service based on what’s important to them such as factors including location and waiting times. These services will remain free and access will be based on clinical need, in line with the NHS Constitution. To make this change possible GPs are now referring patients to the Devon Referral Support Services, where they will get help to make their choice. The change, which came into effect on 1 October, is part of the national Any Qualified Provider (AQP) initiative. AQP is designed to introduce new providers into healthcare and to make sure both current and new providers run services to a high quality and clinical specification. All providers, where appropriate, are registered with the Care Quality Commission.
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
October 2013
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Safer use of medicines in Devon care homes
BBC3 covers Exeter’s ‘Unsafe Sex in the City’
continued from page 1... The study highlighted the need for care homes, GPs and pharmacists to work closely together and seek ways to improve the safety of medicines and ensure care home staff have appropriate knowledge in this vulnerable area. As a result, a care home medicines management group was set up by the former primary care trust NHS Plymouth. This group is made up of representatives from GP practices, pharmacies, care homes, commissioners and local councils.
To view the episode that follows young people in Exeter, click here. Please note this contains some strong language. BBC 3’s series of ‘Unsafe Sex in the City’ took to the streets of Exeter this month to speak to young people about their attitudes to relationships, sex and sexual health. The aim of the series was to increase awareness of sexual health and to promote the use of sexual health clinics and the services they provide, particularly for young people. The series followed a number of local young people and included filming at Exeter’s Sidwell Street walk-in centre, which is run by Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. For more information about sexual health services in Devon, contact Julia Loveluck, DCC’s senior public health officer (sexual health), on 01392 386 397.
Jo Watson, head of medicines optimisation for south and west Devon, said: “There are more than 400 care homes in the NEW Devon CCG area and we are really keen to provide support to ensure
safe and effective use of medicines within them. “This group has been successfully up and running for three years. The idea is to spread good practice, produce guidance that all members can follow and share ideas on how the system can be improved further, increase understanding and promote multi-disciplinary working across Devon.”
Information to support care homes on the safe use of medicines has been developed as part of the project and can be accessed on Plymouth City Council’s website, along with a care home medicines management checklist and associated documents. For more information, click here...
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
October 2013
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Want to know more? Why not come along to one of our board meetings? Northern locality board: 11 December, 2-5pm Crown Yealm House, Pathfields Business Park, South Molton, EX36 3LH. More info Eastern locality board: 27 November, 3-5.30pm Location to be confirmed. More info Western locality board: 30 October, 2-4.30pm Windsor House, Tavistock Road, Plymouth, PL6 5UF. More info Public Governing Body: 20 November, 10am The Watermark, Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 0SZ More info
Find out more about how the CCG is involving people (patients, staff, voluntary and local groups and provider organisations) in healthcare developments by clicking here...
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The NEW Devon CCG website now includes a ‘What’s On’ page for staff and public to view details of public events in each locality.
Contacts CCG website: www.newdevonccg.nhs.uk Communications team: 01769 575 153 or 01392 267 647. Email: d-ccg.communications@nhs.net
This includes health summits, public engagement events, focus groups and details of monthly public board meetings. The page will be updated as dates are booked.
Follow the CCG on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube: Search ‘NEWDevonCCG’.
Click on the page shot to go to ‘What’s on’ Design and layout by Naomi Cudmore (www.lighthousecommunications.co.uk) for NEW Devon CCG