back >>

REGIONAL SPECIALISED HEALTH SERVICES

Some health services attract patients from a wide geographical area because of their particular expertise.Wirral Health Authority works together with the six health authorities in Merseyside and Cheshire to oversee the purchase and development of specialised health services in the region.

In 2000/01 we concentrated on kidney complaints,cancer,coronary heart disease,intensive therapy,secure mental health and learning disability services.For the year ahead we shall be reviewing developments required in neurological services,ear implants, chronic fatigue syndrome and plastic surgery.

SAVING LIVES

Coronary heart disease (CHD)and stroke

Wirral has the lowest death rate from heart disease on Merseyside,but has the second highest death rate from stroke.Our aim is to bring these figures down by at least one third by 2010. We are tackling this in a number of ways,some of which are outlined below.

CHD templates and registers

CHD templates are now installed in the majority of practices.These are designed to assist clinicians in giving a structured consultation with patients and allow for the consistent collection of diagnostic and treatment information.

Wallasey Heart Centre

Wallasey Heart Centre,established in late 2000,is the first of its kind in Britain.The Centre offers treatment of angina and control of blood pressure.Its broad programme includes exercise and advice on weight,stress management,healthy eating and smoking cessation.

Exercise and Lifestyle service

The aim of this service is to create a network of community based Exercise and Lifestyle Centres providing easy access for people at increased risk of developing CHD.The programme includes:

• CHD risk factor and lifestyle assessment
• physical activity programme
• smoking cessation support
• weight management and nutritional advice
• stress management,motivation and confidence building.

Expansion of cardiac rehabilitation service

A secondary prevention programme has been introduced for patients with angina and diabetes mellitus;both client groups previously were ineligible for rehabilitation.A key part of this programme is establishing an outreach service to improve access for patients.

Equity audit

Our Public Health Specialist has produced a Wirral Equity Audit.This identifies possible inequalities in heart health across Wirral and will help us target future resources and developments to those with the greatest needs.

Blood pressure monitor

An allocation of £44,000 from the Treasury Modernisation Capital Fund has enabled us to purchase electronic blood pressure machines for all Wirral practices,Wirral Hospital NHS Trust and Wirral and West Cheshire Community NHS Trust.

Heart Failure Guidelines

Wirral Heart Failure Guidelines have been produced and circulated widely following their launch at a Heart Failure Symposium in November 2000.

Patient information and support

A working group has been established to produce CHD patient information that ensures patients and carers receive consistent messages regarding their condition.It is intended that this information will also be available on the website.

Unfortunately,there is no Heart Support Group in Wirral.This is being addressed; so too is the involvement of service users and carers in the implementation of the National Service Framework (NSF)for CHD.

Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic

A Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic was established at Wirral Hospital NHS Trust in November 2000.The clinic offers prompt assessment for patients with rapid onset of new symptoms of angina.There is a maximum two-week waiting time.

Specialist and tertiary cardiac services

The appointment of a third Cardiologist has improved the speed of access for out-patient and in-patient support in cardiac services.The National Service Framework for CHD contains challenging targets for cardiac catheterisation (a special x-ray investigation to determine the extent of any narrowing of the coronary arteries)and cardiac revascularisation (a procedure to improve blood supply to the heart).

Over the next few years,we shall be increasing the number of these procedures commissioned for Wirral residents.Using the results from the Equity Audit,we shall also be working to ensure that access to these services is improved for patients living in areas with high levels of heart disease.

Cancer

Cancer is the most common cause of death in Wirral.Reducing smoking has the greatest impact on preventing cancer-related deaths.

During the review year we have:

• set up colorectal screening of high risk groups
• appointed a third colorectal surgeon at Wirral Hospital NHS Trust
• increased Arrowe Park Hospital 's capacity to see urgent referrals for breast cancer by reorganising sessions.

We are following national guidelines for suspected cancer and targeting particularly those conditions with the longest waiting times.Our aim is to reduce deaths from cancer in people under 75 by at least 20%by 2010.Towards this aim we can report progress on:

• moving the focus of cancer services towards prevention
• introducing new drugs and reducing radiotherapy waiting times at Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS Trust
• developing local plans for gynaecological,head and neck cancers
• improving lymphoedema services (for patients with swelling resulting from tumours)
• enhancing the care and quality of life for people with an incurable illness
• identifying education and training needs for staff working with cancer patients.

back >>