CCG schemes helping patients and hospitals

Last year the running of the health service was put in the hands of GPs and four GP-led CCGs took over the management of healthcare services.

North Derbyshire and Hardwick CCGs have been shaping a structure for our region that has encouraged greater GP, patient and partnership participation.

They say this shared involvement with expert, clinicial input has helped the CCGs cement partnerships with private organisations, health carers and charities to streamline care and reduce the strain on hospitals and accident and emergency services while providing the best support for patients.

Dr Ben Milton, chairman of North Derbyshire CCG, said: “From a position of experience and credibility, changes are taking place and we can see the benefits to patients on a day-to-day basis. And if things do not go well we raise concerns.

“We’re getting there. In the current financial set-up we need to get more efficient with every year.

“The financial challenge we face over the next few years is massive. If things had continued as before it could have cost an extra £150million than we could have afforded up to 2020. That’s been the magnitude of the challenge we face in terms of looking after an ageing population that is living longer with more chronic health problems and with the combined impact of side effects from taking combined medicines.”

The North Derbyshire CCG, with 37 GP practices and over 288,000 patients, and Hardwick CCG, with 16 GP practices and over 100,000 patients, are working hard to keep patients and everyone engaged with lead GPs, monthly meetings and events.

Dr Milton added: “Patient Participation Groups have been fantastic to go to the public and talk about what’s working and not working and we provide up-dates.”

North Derbyshire CCG has also visited schools to make future generations aware of how medical provision is being rolled out and the importance of keeping informed.

Schemes with various partners are helping reducing the strain on hospitals and A&E services while benefitting patients and saving money. These have included out-of-hours GP cover, the 111 helpline and the Single Point of Access system for elderly people’s care and a night-sitting service for seriously ill people.

North Derbyshire CCG has also operated within budget.

Medical chiefs are working towards providing more efficient and cost-effective NHS services after the introduction of Clinical Commissioning Groups over a year ago.

Four GP-led CCGs took over the management of healthcare services from Derbyshire’s two primary care trusts in April last year and North Derbyshire and Hardwick CCGs have been shaping a structure for our region that has allowed and encouraged greater GP, patient and partnership participation.

This shared involvement with expert, clinicial input has helped the CCGs cement partnerships with private organisations, health carers and charities to streamline care and reduce the strain on hospitals and accident and emergency services while providing the best support for patients.

Dr Ben Milton, chairman of North Derbyshire CCG, said: “From a position of experience and credibility, changes are taking place and we can see the benefits to patients on a day-to-day basis. And if things do not go well we raise concerns.

“We’re getting there. In the current financial set-up we need to get more efficient with every year. The financial challenge we face over the next few years is massive. If things had continued as before it could have cost an extra £150million than we could have afforded up to 2020. That’s been the magnitude of the challenge we face in terms of looking after an ageing population that is living longer with more chronic health problems and with the combined impact of side effects from taking combined medicines.”

The North Derbyshire CCG, with 37 GP practices and over 288,000 patients, and Hardwick CCG, with 16 GP practices and over 100,000 patients, are working hard to keep patients and everyone engaged with lead GPS, monthly meetings and events.

Dr Milton added: “Patient Participation Groups have been fantastic to go to the public and talk about what’s working and not working and we provide up-dates.”

North Derbyshire CCG has also visited schools to make future generations aware of how medical provision is being rolled out and the importance of keeping informed.

Schemes with various partners are helping reducing the strain on hospitals and A&E services while benefitting patients and saving money. These have included out-of-hours GP cover, the 111 helpline and the Single Point of Access system for elderly people’s care and a night-sitting service for seriously ill people.

North Derbyshire CCG has also operated within budget.