Health care moves closer

8:46am Wednesday 10th October 2007

Comments (4)   Have your say »

MEDICAL treatment is moving closer to home thanks to a £2.5million investment in East Lancashire health services.

A series of initiatives is being started to ensure patients in Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley, do not have to travel to centralised hospital sites for treatment.

JOIN THE DEBATE

Is this the right way to provide health care? Add your comments below.

The money, from the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, is designed to help hospital bosses implement the Meeting Patients Needs shake-up.

The extra cash will be used in a number of ways.

District nurse teams will be reinforced by increasing the number of qualified district nurses and also the number of assistant practitioners, health care assistants and clerical staff.

This will allow locally-based district nurses will to make 4,500 extra patient contacts.

Two more community matrons will be added to the 26-strong team who provide care at home.

Increased investment in rehabilitation services will enable another 4,000 people to be seen in their homes, and a treatment room service that was expanded last year in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale will be rolled out to Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

In Accrington, Victoria Hospital will see increased investment in the minor injury unit, delivering an extra 5,000 patient contacts.

The development of a wound care service in Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn, Rossendale and Ribble Valley, will free up nearly a third of district nurses' time, allowing them to concentrate on other needs and requirements.

And patients with breathing difficulties and lung problems will benefit from an extra £90,000 for the Pulmonary Rehabilit-ation Service, which will handle another 6,000 patient contacts.

More than £300,000 is being allocated for home aids and equipment for patients.

PCT chief executive David Peat said: "We have been able to put all this extra money in place because we run a tight ship financially.

"People want to receive services where they live, and this will help ease pressure on the two main hospital sites in East Lancashire.

"It all fits together well, with both the patient and our health staff benefiting greatly."