Prioritising Treatment

Prioritising Treatment in West Kent - January 2011 update

Thank you to all those who actively engaged with the PCT in discussing the potential options for prioritisation. We had a great response with more than 90 replied in total and over 70 clinicians getting involved in the debate.

A summary of the feedback and actions is in the supporting document.|

Prioritising Treatment in West Kent - December 2010

NHS West Kent is engaging local GPs, clinicians and patient and public representatives to manage the impact of pressure on the health service locally.

Further action is currently needed to deal with considerable pressure on hospital services which are threatening to cause a significant overspend by the end of the financial year.

NHS West Kent’s Medical Director James Thallon has approached GPs and other clinical leaders in the area to discuss the steps needed to protect vital services and ensure patient care is prioritised appropriately. Measures could include revising waiting times for routine procedures, and considering ways to improve outcomes and reduce the need for follow-up work with non-emergency surgery.

The PCT is also speaking to members of its Health Network, voluntary organisations and the wider local community to consider what the local NHS should take into account to lessen the impact.

The proposed actions have the full approval of GP commissioners, the Commissioning Board, acute trusts, Whole Systems Delivery Boards and the NHS West Kent Boards, but to be able to implement them successfully we need to consult with clinicians working at the front line of care delivery.

We recognise that prioritising treatments will always have an impact on people, so we wanted to share the supporting letter with you so you are aware of both the actions being proposed and to give you the opportunity to feedback your thoughts and views too.

Given that this has to happen, we would be keen to hear what you think the local NHS should take into consideration in order to lessen the impact, both for the local community generally and for individuals.

Medical needs will always be at the heart of decisions about priorities, however prioritise we will have to if we are to deliver a sustainable service in the future.

You can find a full list of the additional proposed actions in the supporting letter|. We plan to put in place the initiatives during December, once we have given opportunity for feedback from as wide a range of clinicians and interested parties as possible. The deadline for responses is 10 December.