Recently the Prime Minister announced several reforms to the NHS designed to improve patient care and improve wait times. I won’t lie, our target of ensuring 95% of people get appointments within 18-weeks is an ambitious change from the current system of 18-months but these reforms are both important and workable.
There are a few I think will be of interest to the residents of Swindon, the first is that we are expanding opening hours for community diagnostic centres, this will include the West Swindon Health Centre. We’re also expanding the services these centres can offer, improving access to X-rays among others.
Another reform is to allow GPs to make referrals to specialists directly, rather than waiting on consultants to decide who can be seen and when, we’re ending the ping pong feeling of going to the GP, then a consultant, then back to your GP before being sent to the care you require, to a simple GP referral.
The NHS app is also changing in March, allowing patients in most trusts to book appointments and communicate with GPs and hospitals about their care and follow-up appointments when they need it. It will allow patients who need non-emergency elective treatment to choose their provider. Residents will also be able to view and manage appointments and bookings themselves.
As part of these reforms, I have raised a suggestion to the Department of Health that we also include in the app, a specific area focussed on carers, offering them support and single stop for information relating to care services both nationally and regional, tying in all levels of support and always available. Too often those that accept caring responsibilities are left under resourced and unsure how or what support to claim/is available to them. I hope to give an update on this in the future.
As always if you need any assistance or support, please contact me at [email protected]