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LOCAL PRIORITIES

Winter success The increased demand on health and social care services in winter is a matter of local priority.By working together with partner agencies we achieved a successfully managed winter 2000/01 and plan to do the same in future years.

Healthy mouths

Oral health has become a key local priority and our new oral surgeon is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of a healthy mouth and teeth.

Improved prescribing

Our prescribing service aims to reduce variation across Wirral and to keep within budget.The high quality of the service continues to be maintained thanks to the efforts of everyone involved in the Wirral Prescribing Strategy.During the year in view we have improved the management of medicines,completed a prescribing review between local services and developed guidance for prescribers.

FAST AND CONVENIENT SERVICE

Waiting lists and waiting times

The government is committed to improving waiting lists and times.The number of in-patients and day case patients awaiting treatment is within government guidelines and we are committed to ensuring that it does not rise again.

We are working towards reducing the level of patients waiting 13 weeks or more for an out-patient appointment and ensuring no-one waits longer than 26 weeks for their first appointment.

Waiting times in the Accident & Emergency Department should be significantly reduced once the current modernisation work is complete.

Modern primary care

Primary care is health care provided by a GP or other health professional who is the first point of contact for a person seeking medical advice or treatment. We are working towards delivering more convenient and accessible primary care services with improved links to hospital and community health services.

• The NHS Direct help-line was opened throughout Wirral in October 2000.
• We have opened NHS Walk-in Centres in Wallasey and at Arrowe Park Hospital.
• Oral health care is more readily available in areas of high dental need such as Leasowe and Rock Ferry.
• We are assisting in the improvement of GP premises and hope to have all GP practices computerised by 2002.

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