New service means patients can stay at home
16th January 2012
A new service is now available for terminally ill patients which means that they could spend more time in their own home and avoid the need for more hospital admissions.
Patients with recurrent ascites (fluid that continually builds up in their stomachs that causes pain and discomfort) currently have to be admitted to hospital to have this fluid drained on a regular basis.
The new service means that in suitable patients, the patient can opt to have a small tube (Permanent Peritoneal Drain) inserted into their stomach so that the fluid can be safely and easily drained in the patient’s home, with the support from a community nurse and will not need to be admitted to hospital for this treatment.
Dr Darin Seiger, Chair of Nene Commissioning, said: "This new service will improve quality of life for patients in the final stages of their life. It means that terminally ill patients will be able to spend more time in the comfort of their own homes and will be able to access the treatment more quickly, with the help of a community nurse."
Dr Pete Wilczynski, Chair of Corby Healthcare, said: "In 2010/11 there were 46 hospital readmissions in the county for ascites drainage, and we know that in some circumstances, patients will delay the drainage until they require a hospital admission. Without adequate drainage, ascites can significantly affect quality of life for patients, and by providing the service in their own homes the treatment will be more convenient and less stressful for the patient."
As well as improving quality of life for terminally ill patients, it is estimated the new service will save around £13,000 a year.
The commissioning of this service is being developed by the new clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) Nene Commissioning and Corby Healthcare, in partnership with Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust, and the service will be provided by Northampton General Hospital. From April 2013, the CCGs will take over full commissioning responsibility when PCTs are abolished.
Edit this section
Self Care
Self care at home is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries. A well-stocked medical cabinet can help you to deal with minor accidents and injuries such as:
- Hangover
- Grazed knee
- Sore throat
- Cough
You need to be sure that medicines at home are safely stored out of the reach of children and according to their labels – check the use-by dates and follow the dosage guidance. Too much of some medicines can be harmful to children.
A well stocked medicine cabinet could include items such as:
• Paracetamol and aspirin tablets (aspirin should not to be given to children under 16 or to people with asthma)
• Paracetamol (such as Calpol) or ibuprofen syrups for children
• Mild laxatives to relieve constipation
• Rehydration mixtures for diarrhoea or vomiting to use if feeling dehydrated after a bout of sickness or diarrhoea
• Indigestion remedy
• Travel sickness tablets for family trips
• Tweezers and sharp scissors to remove splinters and cut bandages
• A thermometer to check for fever
• A range of bandages, plasters, non-absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings for minor cuts, sprains and bruises
NHS Direct
You may have heard a rumour that NHS Direct has been shut down. It’s not true.
Contact NHS Direct if you are ill and have questions about your health, or your family’s health. The service can also help you find local health services.
NHS Direct provides expert health advice and information, at all times throughout the day and night. Someone will always be there to answer your call and help. By using NHS Direct you may avoid a visit to your GP or a Minor Injuries Unit. You can speak to someone on: 0845 46 47 or check out details online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
GP Surgery
Your GP (General Practitioner) is the first point of contact for many people if you can’t treat yourself or have a medical issue that needs attention but isn’t urgent.
You may be registered with a GP or you can access one through a Walk-in Centre or the GP Out-of-Hours service.
Minor Injury Clinc
Walk In Centres
Cuts.
Strains.
Itches.
Sprains.
Northamptonshire has a GP centre which can be accessed between 8am and 8pm without the need for an appointment, and two minor injury units. All three of these centres are ‘walk in’ which means you don’t have to be registered and you don’t need an appointment.
Lakeside Plus 8-8 Centre
Willowbrook Health Complex, Cottingham Road, Corby NN17 2UW The centre offers a range of services including a nurse-led minor illness service, sexual health service including emergency contraception and screening for health problems. Patients do not have to be registered at the centre, and can walk in or book an appointment on 01536 204154. The centre is open from 8am-8pm.
Minor injury units
Minor injury units are another way you can access fast, convenient NHS treatment for minor injuries like sprains, strains, minor burns and wounds, whilst also reducing pressure on A&E departments, enabling staff there to deal with more serious medical problems. It also means that you will be seen and treated quickly.
Corby Minor Injuries Unit Willowbrook Health Complex Cottingham Road Corby NN17 2UW Open 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday Open 9am - 6pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays Tel: 01536 400600
Minor illness and Minor Injury Unit (MIaMI) - MIaMI offers the same services as the Corby Minor Injuries Unit, plus minor illnesses like colds and flu, stomach upsets and ear infections. They also offer emergency hormonal contraception, advice on long acting reversible contraception and free condoms on request. As part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, MIaMI also offers confidential screening for males and females and advice on sexual health. Advice and assistance in registration is also available for patients not currently registered with a GP.
MIaMI - Minor Illness and Minor Injury Unit, Highfield Clinical Care Centre, Cliftonville Road, Northampton. NN1 5BD Open 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) Tel: 01604 745050
A&E
When it comes to your health or the health of someone in your family, it is often very obvious if the person is seriously ill and needs immediate emergency care. An emergency is a critical or life-threatening situation. A critical situation can include someone suffering: - unconsciousness - a suspected stroke - heavy blood loss - a deep wound such as a stab wound - a suspected heart attack - difficulty in breathing - severe burns Accident and Emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are two in Northamptonshire, one at Kettering General Hospital and one at Northampton General Hospital. Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Rothwell Road Kettering Northamptonshire NN16 8UZ Tel: 01536 492000 or click here for more information Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust Cliftonville Northampton NN1 5B Tel: 01604 634700 or click here for more information
Edit this section
- Sex
- Pregnancy
- Minor Injuries
- Impetigo
- Mend
- Optical
- National Health Serv
- Strategy
- Wellingborough
- GP consortium
- Kettering General Ho
- Kidney Infection
- Chickenpox
- Public Health
- Campaign
- Consultation
- NHS Direct
- Breastfeeding
- Performance
- Community
- SOLAR
- Mumps
- Nurse
- Nene Commissioning
- William Pope
- Ethnic
- Breast
- Dentist
- Contraception
- Membership
- Your Health
- Antibiotics
- Heatwave
- Back Pain
- Flu
- Northamptonshire
- Child
- Sport
- membership
