N E W S L E T T E R

Produced in co-operation with our Patient Engagement Group

Hello And Welcome To Issue 4

We were delighted to receive so many positive comments following publication of our last newsletter - it is very encouraging to know that so many people found the concise and comprehensive information on contacting our centres of such value. In a similar vein, we would like to share with you information about the new role of Kirstie Douglas. Kirstie spoke at a recent Patient Engagement Group meeting and provided a really informative account of her position at Manor Practice We were delighted to hear about this important new role providing much needed support to our doctors at a time when there is such a nationwide shortage of GPs We hope that you will understand our enthusiasm for Kirstie's appointment once you have read her opening article

Your Patient Engagement Group and AHP

A NEW ROLE TO AHP – THE PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATE WILL SEE YOU NOW

Hello to all! My name is Kirstie Douglas and I am a Physician Associate (PA), which is a new role to AHP. What is this, you may ask? (I get this question a lot!!!)

PAs are seen as a “new” role, however, we have been established in the NHS since 2003 and were first introduced into the country by US-trained PAs.

Physician Associates are healthcare professionals, who work as part of the multidisciplinary team alongside doctors both in GP surgeries and hospital specialties. They see a wide variety of conditions (acute and chronic) and can see patients of any age. They have a defined scope of practice including: diagnosing patients, carrying out physical examinations, providing health promotion, delivering treatment and management plans and requesting/interpreting diagnostic studies.

Currently, PAs are not allowed to request ionising radiation nor prescribe medications (although this is subject to change in the future); however, doctor colleagues support these tasks as appropriate PAs work under the supervision of a GP or consultant, although they can work relatively autonomously dependent on their experience

All working PAs in the UK are a member of the Managed Voluntary Register which is held by the Faculty of Physician Associates From next year, PAs will be regulated by the General Medical Council which is the regulator of doctors, allowing for greater potential and maximising contribution to patient care as part of the wider medical workforce

To tell you a little about me personally: I graduated from St George’s Medical School in 2018 and have since worked in both hospital and GP surgery settings, and in medical education at local universities I also work with NHS England as a Physician Associate Ambassador, promoting the role and increasing PA recruitment in the South East. I have also recently been helping to supervise two PA students from Brighton and Sussex Medical School who have been on placement with AHP.

My specialist interest is paediatrics although I am competent to see all ages, with on the day and pre-bookable appointments available at Manor Practice where I am based. I have been receiving some lovely positive feedback from patients that I have seen so far, and my role has been embraced by all so hopefully the PA role will grow in this area!

Updates From Further Afield

These updates are from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (previously Western Sussex Hospitals when it became a Foundation Trust) and relate to what is happening at our local hospitals, which AHP's patients are often referred to for secondary assessments or treatments.

Much development has been taking place across all 7 hospitals within the Trust, but the major difference is the construction of the Louisa Martindale Building at Royal Sussex County Hospital This is now nearing completion and patients will be moved into the new building in the next couple of months There is far too much to describe in this newsletter, but anyone who is interested can visit the Trust's website for the latest information https://www uhsussex nhs uk/about/trust/improvement-projects/lmb/

During the last few months much concern has been shown about the NHS plan to close stroke services at Worthing Hospital and move the Acute Stroke Unit to St Richards Hospital in Chichester. A twelve week public consultation took place where everyone had a chance to express their views. More than 1000 people responded and these will be taken into account when decisions are made later this year. More details on the plan are available on https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/news/more-than-1000-stroke-survey-responses-received/

Closer to home is the development of the Southlands Site. Aside from the excellent eye clinic many other treatments and therapies already take place at Southlands, as well as two operating theatres carrying out day surgery Many people are surprised to hear that dermatological treatments take place as well as cardio physiotherapy, occupational therapy, blood tests and many clinics

Plans to develop a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham-by-Sea are continuing, with a new facility scheduled to open in the Autumn 2023

The CDC is designed to offer efficient and more local access to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computerised Tomography) scanners, as well as a host of other diagnostic specialist equipment and expertise. Separated from emergency care provided in other nearby hospitals, planned imaging and diagnostic services at Southlands will be less affected by urgent requests from Emergency Departments, resulting in less disruption to patient appointments and procedures.

The development of the new department within the hospital will replace the temporary mobile MRI and CT scanners where space and waiting areas are very limited and the X-Ray department will be fully refurbished.

Watch Out For Tick Bites

These are becoming more common, particularly in countryside areas

Minimise the risk - apply insect repellant prior to walking in high risk areas and use footpaths rather than walk through long grass and foliage Cover your skin where possible, wear full length trousers rather than shorts and wear long sleeved tops. Tuck clothes in. Wear socks.

Always check yourself and others, including dogs, for ticks after walking in high risk countryside. If you find a tick on skin remove with fine tweezers ensuring that the whole insect is removed.

If you are bitten - remove the tick including its head, clean the site with soapy water and use a cold compress and/or elevation of limb to reduce swelling and pain. Apply antihistamine cream or take antihistamine tablets as directed. Tick bites may, but not always, cause itching and swelling.

Transmission of Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that can lead to the inflammation of joints and neurological problems

This happens rarely but it is crucial that you are aware of the symptoms and seek immediate medical help Symptoms of the disease include a rash around the site of the bite that is oval in shape and flu like symptoms.

For more information, please visit the NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/