Staffordshire consultants to visit patients' homes
Patients with breathing difficulties will find it easier to get treatment as part of a new trial that will see consultants carry out appointments at their homes, NHS bosses said today.
The Cannock Chase and Stafford & Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Groups are launching a trial service that will see a hospital-based consultant move their outpatient clinics into the community alongside specialist respiratory nurses.
The new community service will help those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – the symptoms of which can include severe breathlessness, persistent coughs and episodes of frequent chest infections. It is estimated that around three million people suffer from COPD across the UK, mostly aged over 50.
Dr Mo Huda, Rugeley GP and clinical lead for Cannock Chase CCG said: "When patients are having breathing problems related to their COPD they want to see a specialist nurse or consultant at a time that is best for them rather than be waiting for a hospital appointment that will not be at the time when patients most need it.
"We believe that, if practical, there are considerable advantages for community respiratory nurses having access to a consultant to help with complex patients with COPD.
"By better management of complex patients we can reduce risk factors associated with patients needing to have emergency care which lead to considerably less stress and inconvenience for patients and their families or carers.
"Bringing NHS services closer to the patient is something we strongly support in principle. However, each case needs to be judged on its merits. We will carefully monitor the progress of this 12-month trial and long-term decisions will be based on demonstrably improved services for patients with COPD."
The consultant will retain a base at Stafford Hospital. Andrew Donald, chief officer for the CCGs, said: "This is certainly not about taking services away from the hospital. It is about maximising local skills and having them available to patients at the time they have told us would be most beneficial."
Dr David Cook, consultant in respiratory medicine, said: "This new service will mean patients being able to be seen in clinics nearer to their homes and with less waiting times. A service which some other areas already provide and will now be available to our patients. It will be particularly valuable for patients who become too breathless to attend hospital clinics but who still would value keeping in touch with their hospital consultant. In some centres, text and email communications are also used to communicate with disabled patients."