Care UK | News Feed

Brighton Station Health Centre re-opens after flooding causes a small fire

The Health Centre had to close yesterday afternoon after a small fire broke out in a service duct. It is believed that the fire was caused by water getting into electrical cables after the heavy rain caused part of the building to flood.

Patients had to be diverted to other local health services yesterday afternoon and this morning while the building was checked over and some repairs put in place.

Centre Manager Deb Jeavons-Fellows said: “I’d like to thank the team from the fire and rescue service who were quickly on the scene and prevented the fire from spreading. Since then, my team have worked tirelessly to get everything back to normal and we were delighted to re-open at 1pm today.”

The Health Centre provides a GP service and walk-in service for NHS patients on behalf of NHS Brighton and Hove. Full details of the services offered by the centre are available at http://www.brightonstationhealthcentre.co.uk/

Care UK trains home managers of the future

The author and project manager of the programme, Carol Cunningham, Care UK’s Learning and Development Manager for Residential Care Services, said: “Care UK is very committed to staff development. There are so many reasons to invest in your staff.”

“Everyone who took part on the course has at least an NVQ3 and is a dedicated and excellent nurse or carer. But being a manager takes a wider knowledge and we want to take the best people we have and help them to develop into top managers.”

Care UK currently runs 59 nursing or care homes and in the next five years aims to significantly increase that number. It wants to be in the position to recruit more managers internally during that time, to maximise it’s internal capability.

Carol said: “We anticipate that by offering a clear career path we will attract excellent candidates and keep those who have already joined us.”

“Care UK has a wonderful ethos and by nurturing and preparing the future managers we will maintain and strengthen that ethos, ensuring our residents have the very best of care with a continuity of provision.”

To be selected, candidates had to undergo a rigorous selection process that involved recommendation by a manager or regional director, aptitude and personality testing and a structured interview with Carol and a senior operational manager.

After that the successful candidates put together a detailed development plan with Carol and their manager before taking a six-part course over six months designed to give them the tools and strategies to be excellent home managers. The modules looked at:

- The responsibilities of a manager and levels of commitment required
- Commercial awareness and business acumen
- Personal management styles
- Performance management
- Tools for managers including time and change management, planning and delegation
- How teams work, including an activity to produce a promotional DVD, then individual presentations to directors on what they had learned.

Carol said of Module 2: “A candidate may be an exemplary carer but until you reach a certain level you are not exposed to the rigours of commercial thinking. This module is designed to give them some exposure to marketing and funding issues before they have to face them commercially.”

Another popular unit examined personal management styles. Carol said: “We gave the participants the same personality profiling test that we give our senior managers. They were all amazed at the results and immediately saw how they could use it to improve their own style of management.”

Certificates were awarded to the successful students at a special ceremony in London. But the work does not end there: Carol will be visiting each candidate to re-assess their development plan in the light of what they have learned.

Carol said: “It was a course designed to positively challenge people and everyone has committed to it 100%. We have already had our first success, with one member recently being appointed a home manager. We are proud of our achievements so far and will continue to commit to the development of our future managers as our business grows”.

Photo caption: Trainee managers pictured with Care UK Chief Executive, Mike Parish

Leeds health service celebrates a busy 12 months

The service, which provides both a walk-in service and GP practice, operated by Care UK on behalf of NHS Leeds, is open 12 hours a day, every day (including all bank holidays) and has seen over 10,000 people since it first opened its doors.

General Manager, Michelle Teague says that it is now on target to treat 15,000 people (an increase of 50%) in year two as popularity increases.

Michelle says: “The centre has been a very welcome addition to the range of NHS health services in the area, allowing people to get immediate access to treatment for minor illnesses, minor injuries and emergency contraception, without the need for an appointment or taking up time at accident and emergency facilities.

“People are also able to sign up with our practice as a registered patient, giving them access to our full range of services, such as weight management, antenatal care, contraception and sexual health services, regular clinics for asthma and diabetes and health checks for well patients aged 40 to 74.”

Dr Damian Riley, Executive Director of Primary Care for NHS Leeds explains: “Having the flexibility to provide GP appointments and a walk-in service in one centre is proving to be very popular with people in Leeds. The centre gives greater access to GP services out of normal hours for local people and the flexibility to make doctor’s appointments early in the morning or later in the evening. It also means that those who work in the city but are registered with a GP elsewhere can see a doctor or nurse quickly, conveniently and near to their place of work.”

For further information on the service and how to register as a patient, please visit www.shakespearemedicalpractice.co.uk or call 0113 295 1132.

Greater Manchester CATS relocates and expands Denton NHS services

Run by Care UK, Greater Manchester CATS has moved to the new site to make it even easier for residents to access as well as to increase its facilities. The service provides local people with faster access to NHS diagnostic treatments for particular specialties including ear, nose and throat, endoscopy, general surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics and urology as well as diagnostic service such as X-ray, Ultrasound and MRI.

To further improve the facilities offered at the site, Care UK has joined up with the neighbouring Esporta Health Club and opened a new physiotherapy room, which will provide treatment for CATS patients. This will be open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and run every week, regardless of whether the main mobile clinic is at the site.

Mark Hunt, Managing Director, Health Care Services at Care UK, said: “Our mobile clinical units are designed to improve the health services offered to local communities by taking them into the heart of communities making them easier and quicker to access.

“By moving our Denton service to the Oldham Street site, not only are we able to improve the access but we are also able to extend the service thanks to our unique partnership with Esporta Health Club.

“The new physiotherapy facilities mean we can see more patients and can extend our opening hours to five days a week at Denton, regardless of whether the mobile unit is on site on that day.”

The mobile units will be at the Oldham Street site on three or four days each fortnight and appointments can be made via GP referral and the Choose and Book system.

To find out more about Greater Manchester CATS and the treatments available, visit www.greater-manchester-cats.co.uk or speak to your GP.

Care UK scoops recruitment award from Jobcentre Plus

The company’s innovative approach to finding new staff has earned it the "Recruitment Partnership Award" for the employer that has shown the best approach to partnership working with Jobcentre Plus in the East Midlands.

The prestigious Jobcentre Plus Awards recognise companies who have shown progressive practices and attitudes to working with their local Jobcentre Plus offices.

Care UK, which employs over 14,000 staff beat off competition from dozens of other companies – including retail giants Tesco – to win the award.

Ben Ashley, Care UK’s regional resourcing lead for the East Midlands, has worked hard to encourage people into the caring industry and as a result has helped many unemployed people to gain a new profession.

He said: “I have set up and implemented pre-employment training courses in conjunction with the Jobcentre Plus and training partners to give candidates an introduction into care, with a focus on working for Care UK.

“This has been a hugely successful initiative and I now run monthly courses in four branches across the East Midlands. It is so rewarding to see people embrace the idea of caring and saying goodbye to unemployment. Care UK has an enviable track record in training and I know that, with the right attitude and commitment, these new recruits can go on to successful and rewarding careers that make a difference.”

During the last year, Care UK employed 131 people through local East Midlands Jobcentres using the pre-employment training course, awareness sessions and open days to flag up opportunities.

Care UK has also pioneered a proactive approach to help people who have been long-term unemployed to get back into work through organised work trial initiatives, easing them back into the working environment.

Paul Smith, Care UK regional manager, Community Care Services, said: “The award recognises Care UK’s innovative partnerships with Jobcentre Plus to find and recruit unemployed people with the right skills and talents to work in their team.

“The award is a tribute to the many people at Care UK who work tirelessly to find the best recruits to deliver an excellent service to the people we care for. This award is the best possible endorsement of the exceptional work they do to recruit and develop the carers of the future.”

Photo caption: Care UK’s Ben Ashley (left) and Dips Parmar, (centre) Regional Resourcing Lead for South Midlands and West branches, receiving the JobCentre Plus Recruitment Partnership Award.

Portsmouth’s newest health centre has marked its first year of operation

In the first twelve months, the centre – which opens twelve hours a day to registered and unregistered patients, dealt with 17,067 walk-in patients.

Staff also have 1,609 patients on the registered list.

The Department of Health instructed every Primary Care Trust (PCT) in the country to develop a GP-led health centre following its NHS 'Our Future' consultation led by Lord Darzi, which found that many people wanted longer GP opening hours and more convenient locations.

NHS Portsmouth, the organisation responsible for meeting the city’s health needs, commissioned the service from Portsmouth Health Ltd, a partnership between Care UK, Ashley House Clinical Services Ltd and a consortium of local GPs.

NHS Portsmouth’s Head of General Practice Carol Giles said: “We do remain particularly keen to encourage greater use of the centre by people who don’t normally access GP services such as the homeless.”

The refurbished two-storey centre at 27 Guildhall Walk is managed on behalf of NHS Portsmouth by Portsmouth Health Ltd, a partnership between Care UK, Ashley House Clinical Services Ltd and a consortium of local GPs.

The new centre offers people greater choice by opening from 8am to 8pm daily, including weekends and every bank holiday.

It was the first GP-led facility to open in the NHS South Central region, which covers Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

During the year, GWHC also a neighbourhood best service award, and staff received a further award for screening the highest percentage of 15-24 year olds per practice population for Chlamydia during April to June 2010.

Practice Manager Kim Dennis said: “We’re had a very successful first year, winning two local awards and the team are looking forward to assisting even more people in our second year.

"The walk-in service has been particularly popular, providing greater access to GP services. We also provide a range of enhanced services for our registered patients such as regular clinics for a range of chronic illnesses, minor surgery, immunisations and vaccinations, emergency contraception, assistance with drug and alcohol misuse and general healthcare advice and check-ups.”

Rotherham great grandmother backs campaign to promote healthier lifestyle

After being diagnosed with osteoporosis five years ago, Elaine has been doing regular exercise walking her two beloved dogs, Amber and Lucky. This regular exercise helps to control her condition by improving bone density.

Elaine said: “I was shocked to discover I had the condition as I’ve always been a very active person. I was concerned how having osteoporosis was going to affect my life, especially as I enjoy walking my dogs for at least two hours a day.

“Visiting Care UK’s specialist team at the NHS Rotherham Diagnostics Unit has given me peace of mind and I know that I am in expert hands. They’ve given me some really useful tips on diet and exercise that are helping me to continue enjoying my active lifestyle.”

The unit operates out of Rotherham Community Health Centre and is run by Care UK on behalf of NHS Rotherham. The team are encouraging others to use this summer as an opportunity to get active with a three step plan.

Kath Thompson, osteoporosis and bone health specialist nurse for DEXA scanning at the Rotherham Foundation Trust, said: “There are lots of ways we can help and advise people like Elaine, who may be worried about health and fitness and our three step lifestyle plan is an easy starting point.

“Summer is the perfect time of year to get fit and even it is just a short walk every day it’s a great way to improve general health as well as bone density. Being outdoors during the summer is also a great benefit as it gives you much needed vitamin D from the sun which, combined with a balanced diet, is everything your body needs to maintain good health.”

Rotherham Diagnostic Centre’s Three Step Lifestyle Plan

Exercise - weight-bearing exercise for 30 minutes or more each day helps to promote bone formation and bone health. Try tennis, dancing, weight training and brisk walking.

Lifestyle – try to cut down on smoking and drinking alcohol as this can have a harmful effect on bones and can also cause an early menopause.

Diet – eating a varied, well-balanced diet is important to build and maintain healthy bones. Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D are especially valuable for healthy bones. A diet that includes bread, potatoes, pasta and cereals, fruit and vegetables, milk and dairy products, and protein (from meat, fish, eggs, pulses, nuts and seeds) should provide the nutrients that your body needs.

Jo Hodgson, Care UK’s Diagnostic Service Manager, said: “It is fantastic to get this feedback from patients and as a result we have invited Elaine to join our Patient Forum Group which explores how we can improve the quality of our service for all patients attending our diagnostic centre.”

The Rotherham Diagnostics Unit offers X-ray, ultrasound, echo cardiogram, DEXA and MRI scanning to NHS patients and access to the service is by GP referral. For more information visit www.rotherham-diagnostics.co.uk

For more information about the NHS Rotherham Diagnostics Service, please contact James Crawford, Sarah Shimwell or Steve Leigh on 0161 235 0315, or email careuk@citypress.co.uk

For information about other Care UK services please contact Sheila Roberts on 01206 517215 or email Sheila.roberts@careuk.com

Endoscopy service at local Treatment Centre achieves prestigious accreditation

An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined internally using an endoscope; a thin, long, flexible tube that contains a light source and a video camera, so that images of the inside of your body can be relayed to an external screen.

The accreditation comes from the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal endoscopy (JAG), whose aim is to ensure the quality and safety of patient care by defining and maintaining standards by which endoscopy is practised in the UK. The four main areas of criteria assessed were: clinical quality, quality of the patient experience, training and workforce.

The Endoscopy Manager at Southampton NHS Treatment Centre, Anita Rushford, is delighted with achieving the accreditation. She said:

“This is great recognition for our service and we are all extremely proud. All the team are very passionate about their work which I suspect is why we have received outstanding patient satisfaction scores of 99%. To receive 'Level A' accreditation is great recognition of the team’s work and a boost to the Treatment Centre as whole.”

Paula Friend, the General Manager at Southampton NHS Treatment Centre, said:

“I am delighted with the JAG accreditation for our endoscopy service. This is an outstanding achievement and reflects the quality of service provided by our staff. They fully deserve this accreditation and it confirms what our patient satisfaction results already showed – that we are providing an excellent level of service to NHS patients from throughout the Hampshire area.”

Patient Wendy Cummings

One of the Treatment Centre’s Endoscopy Unit’s recent patients was Wendy Cummings, a sports therapist from Fareham, who was finding work a struggle due to persistent pains in her stomach.

“My GP said I needed to go to hospital to have some tests and offered me a choice of where I wanted to go” said Wendy. “He mentioned the Treatment Centre and spoke highly of their treatment so I decided to go there.”

After her GP referred her, Wendy was given an appointment for her initial consultation at the Treatment Centre’s Endoscopy suite just ten days later, with the Consultant recommending an endoscopic examination, for which she was booked in just a week after that. Wendy said:

“On both my visits the staff were just brilliant, they reassured me along the way and what I really liked is the fact they were honest - if it was going to be uncomfortable then they would say exactly that, so I knew what to expect.”

Wendy’s examination showed there was nothing untoward happening and she was able to leave the Treatment Centre without further worries.

“After the examination it was great to hear I was all clear. I seemed to feel better immediately after my procedure as I could relax knowing I was ok. Immediately after my examination I recommended the Treatment Centre to a business partner and wouldn’t think twice about recommending it to other friends and family.”

-ENDS-

For more information about Southampton NHS Treatment Centre please contact:

Marc Rogers

Mob: 07787 781131
E-mail: Marc.Rogers@careuk.com

New local health service launched for Lincolnshire patients

Independent healthcare provider Care UK has been commissioned by NHS Lincolnshire to run the clinics, called Lincolnshire Intermediate Musco-Skeletal Service (LIMSS), in nine locations across Lincolnshire including Gainsborough, Skegness, Grantham, Sleaford, Bourne, Boston, Louth, Lincoln and Spalding.

LIMSS opened on 30th June, and is designed to reduce patient waiting times and bring healthcare into the county’s local communities, making it easier for people to access. Patients will be referred through their GP and will be seen by a consultant led team of physiotherapists, usually within 14 days of the initial referral.

There will be six local clinics which will be able to assess and treat a number of different ailments including elbow, knee and back pain, groin and hip injuries, whiplash and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Kogie Naidoo, LIMSS General Manager

Three central clinics in Lincoln, Louth and Spalding will offer the same service as the local clinics plus a wider range of services, including on-site diagnostics with x-ray, ultrasound and MRI scanning, “on the spot” physiotherapy and immediate non-surgical treatments.

Spokesperson for Care UK in Lincolnshire, Kogie Naidoo, General Manager, said: "I’m proud to be managing this new service as I know it will greatly improve access for local patients and will ensure faster diagnosis and treatment for people with musculoskeletal conditions across Lincolnshire, in easily accessible clinics.

“Our highly trained team of consultants and specialists offer the very highest clinical standards and will provide a personal service to patients including professional assessment and treatment as well as offering motivational lifestyle advice.“

“Patients will be able to choose a clinic which is closest to them or at a time which is most convenient for them. Clinics will operate on a rota but generally services will be available from different locations Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm with Boston offering an evening clinic on a Thursday and Gainsborough and Louth offering a clinic on Saturday mornings. The three central clinics which offer diagnostic services will also offer MRI appointments until 8pm in the evenings providing patients the option to be seen outside normal business hours.”

Kogie Naidoo and some of the team at LIMSS

Dr Martin McShane, director of strategic planning for NHS Lincolnshire also commented: “By introducing this innovative service across Lincolnshire, which was designed by GP Practice Based Commissioning Clusters, we are confident that patients will benefit from faster diagnosis and treatment. With strong links with existing services and facilities, more patients will receive appropriate and timely onward care for musculoskeletal conditions.”

For further information on the service visit www.lincolnshire-imss.nhs.uk

ENDS

For more information about the new Lincolnshire Intermediate Musculo-Skeletal Service (LIMSS), please contact James Crawford, Sarah Shimwell or Steve Leigh on 0161 235 0316, or email careuk@citypress.co.uk

For information about Care UK’s other services, please contact Sheila Roberts, Group Communications Manager on 01206 547212 or email Sheila.roberts@careuk.com

Care UK’s CEO appointed as Trustee of NHS Confederation

Mike Parish joined Care UK in 2001 and in that time he has steered the company through a period of growth and diversification to the point where it is now the largest independent provider of health care services to the NHS and a leading provider of residential, community and specialist care services.

Mike Parish said: “I am greatly looking forward to working with the wider NHS Confederation. I believe that the Confederation has a great deal to offer in terms of support and collective experience that will be of particular importance at a time when Government is faced with the twin challenge of responding to a growing demand for healthcare in a climate of extreme economic pressure.”

The appointment as trustee of NHS Confederation comes as Mike Parish leads Care UK into the next era of independent sector treatment centre contracts.

In the past month, Care UK has announced that it will be continuing to deliver services for NHS patients at its hospitals in Barlborough and Gillingham and its diagnostics centre in Wycombe beyond the initial contracts awarded by Department of Health. Care UK will also take over the running of the Eccleshill Treatment Centre near Bradford. Care UK is the first independent provider to take on the running of NHS patient services entirely at its own financial risk.

Mike Parish also brings expertise of independent-sector primary care to his new NHS Confederation role. Care UK runs primary care services for the NHS on over 40 sites ranging from a walk-in centre in central London to a mobile assessment and treatment service in Manchester. The company has also recently started delivering a contract to provide health services for offenders in three Buckinghamshire prisons. Care UK believes that the addition of this contract to its portfolio now makes it the largest independent provider of prison healthcare in the country.

Mike Parish pictured

Care UK Takes Over Running of Treatment Centre serving Bradford and Leeds NHS Patients

New general manager, Patricia Warwick, believes Care UK’s track record across its seven treatment centres over the past five years will help it to rapidly gain the confidence of the local health community as the new operator of the centre.

Patricia Warwick said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming the local community and meeting GPs in the catchment area of Eccleshill Treatment Centre. There are a number of changes and improvements being planned that will be announced over the coming weeks.”

The treatment centre in Eccleshill provides a range of NHS services, varying from treating hernias to minor foot and knee surgery, to patients across Bradford and Airedale, and Leeds.

Care UK, who took over the running of Eccleshill on 1 July, is the largest independent operator of NHS treatment centres in the UK and the largest independent provider of health care services to the NHS. The company sees over 500,000 NHS patients a year in facilities spread from Portsmouth to Newcastle.

The success of the new contract for Eccleshill NHS Treatment Centre for Care UK will depend on the company’s ability to attract patients and referrals from GPs based on its record of clinical quality and customer satisfaction. The NHS will pay Care UK in the same way it pays other NHS hospitals - on a procedure by procedure basis.

Patricia Warwick said; “People choosing a Care UK treatment centre can expect sector leading levels of patient care from staff who are passionate about quality. Patients can typically be seen within a few weeks of referral and they can be reassured by the company’s track record of zero cases of hospital acquired MRSA.”

The treatment centre in Eccleshill benefits from a close working relationship with the local NHS whose own consultant surgeons from the Bradford Royal Infirmary also work there. Eccleshill provides extra surgical capacity to help the local NHS minimise patient treatment times and deliver improved services. The centre has its own X-ray, MRI, ultrasound and CT scanners so the centre can provide direct access diagnostics to GPs and their patients without the need for an additional hospital appointment.

Pictured from left are Roz Miller, Theresa Hulstead, general manager Patricia Warwick, Karen Gloster and Jen Farmer outside Eccleshill NHS Treatment Centre.

Care UK nominated for Jobcentre Plus Employer of the Year

The company’s innovative approach to finding new staff has earned it prestigious nominations for recruitment awards from Jobcentre Plus – including employer of the year.

The prestigious Jobcentre Plus Awards recognise companies who have shown progressive practices and attitudes to working with their local Jobcentre Plus offices.

Care UK, which employs over 14,000 staff has secured nominations in the employer of the year and the recruitment partnership categories.

The Recruitment Partnership Award is given to the employer who has shown the best approach to partnership working with Jobcentre Plus and other parties. The Employer of the Year Award recognises the firm which has made the most outstanding contribution to recruitment within its sector using Jobcentre Plus services and initiatives.

He said: “I have set up and implemented pre-employment training courses in conjunction with the Jobcentre and training partners to give candidates an introduction into care, with a focus on working for Care UK.

“This has been a hugely successful initiative and I now run monthly courses in four branches across the East Midlands. It is so rewarding to see people embrace the idea of caring and saying good bye to unemployment. Care UK has an enviable track record in training and I know that, with the right attitude and commitment, these new recruits can go on to successful and rewarding careers that make a difference.”

During the last year Care UK employed 131 people through local East Midlands Jobcentres using the course, awareness sessions and open days to flag up opportunities.

Paul Smith, Care UK regional manager, Community Care Services, said: “The nominations recognise Care UK’s innovative partnerships with Jobcentre Plus to find and recruit unemployed people with the right skills and talents to work in their team.

“The nominations are a tribute to the many people at Care UK who work tirelessly to find the best recruits to deliver an excellent servce to the people we care for. These nominations are the best possible endorsements of the exceptional work they do to recruit and develop the carers of the future.”

The winners will be announced on July 16th at an awards ceremony in Nottingham.

Public and patient advice available at Sussex Treatment Centre for Falls Awareness Week

Visitors to the Treatment Centre, as well as patients, will be able to pick up information and chat to physiotherapy and clinical staff about falls avoidance and recovery as well as find out more about the range of orthopaedic procedures available to NHS patients at the Centre. An information stand will be situated in the Treatment Centre’s In-patient area situated on the first floor and from the hours 11am to 6pm visitors will be treated to refreshments and have access to chat with staff.

Sussex Orthopaedic NHS Treatment Centre has carried out more six thousand procedures for NHS patients in the last 12 months, including a total of more than 1,485 knee replacements and 1,376 hip replacements since the start of contract. In all, the Centre has performed more than 20,000 procedures since opening in June 2006.

Pamela Mackie, General Manager at the Treatment Centre says: “The Falls Awareness event is a great way of meeting and informing people who may need treatment. Visitors can find out about the range of procedures that we offer and meet the people who may be looking after them. The Physiotherapy and Nursing team here are looking forward to meeting many new faces during the course of Falls Awareness Week. “

Sussex Orthopaedic NHS Treatment Centre is situated within the Princess Royal Hospital in Lewes Road on the outskirts of Haywards Heath.

New Direct Access service for hernia patients in West Kent

Under the NHS Choose and Book system, patients will be able to consult their GPs about the best course of action and can then be referred direct to the Centre for treatment, without any further out patient appointments. The Treatment Centre’s Booking Department will handle all referrals and then a dedicated person will conduct a telephone pre-assessment and arrange an MRSA Swab.

The launch of this new service follows a successful pilot scheme earlier this year instigated by the Mid Kent NHS Treatment Centre and West Kent Primary Care Trust. It involved 11 surgeries from the Maidstone and West Malling area, where, under Practice Based Commissioning, local GP practices undertook the commissioning of services rather than the PCT. The service will now be used by GPs across West Kent.

As with all procedures, patients will be thoroughly examined on the day of their procedure by the surgeon and the remaining patient pathway is followed as usual. They will be cared for in a Treatment Centre that has had no cases of MRSA or C Difficile.

Currently, the typical waiting time for hernia repair operations in the south east of England is just over 90 days. The most common type of hernia, an inguinal (groin) hernia, results in more than 70,000 procedures a year in England.

Ruth Christie, General Manager at Mid Kent NHS Treatment Centre, said: “This is an exciting and important new development for us which will make treatment easier for our patients.

“Hernias can be painful and potentially dangerous to patients, who often suffer in silence for too long. Now they will be able to get treatment which will quickly get them back to living fulfilling lives again.

“This new service here at the Mid Kent NHS Treatment Centre adds an extra dimension to how important a part we play in local healthcare provision. We will be able to control the referrals through our relationships direct with GPs and hence make life easier for patients.”

An Open Evening for GPs was held at the Treatment Centre on 15 June. The evening covered referral and clinical pathways and exclusion criteria. GPs also had the chance to see the facilities, meet the team and ask questions.

Patients wanting further information about the new direct access hernia service should consult their GPs. Further information is available from the Mid Kent NHS Treatment Centre website at www.midkenttreatmentcentre.nhs.uk

Care UK demonstrates its commitment to the NHS

Care UK is finalising arrangements on a 25 year lease to continue to operate the Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre in Derbyshire; has conditionally obtained ‘Any Willing Provider Status’ to continue providing diagnostic services at High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire; and has secured preferred bidder status to take over the running of the Eccleshill NHS Treatment Centre near Bradford.

Care UK’s Managing Director - Health Care, Dr Mark Hunt said:

“We are enormously proud of our record of delivering the very highest standards of care. Our centres have built an outstanding local reputation for exceptional levels of patient satisfaction, excellent clinical outcomes and zero cases of hospital acquired MRSA.

We have made a long term commitment to being part of the continuing provision of real choice for patients and are delighted that we have secured these opportunities to continue to provide great services as part of the NHS family.”

All three facilities were originally opened as part of the first wave of independent sector contracts which the Department of Health set up to help improve quality, cut waiting lists and increase efficiencies in the NHS. As with other NHS hospitals, patients will not pay for services at the centres. The NHS will pay Care UK for the procedures it carries out on the same basis as it pays any other NHS hospital.

Barlborough and High Wycombe will be the first centres of their kind to operate without a guaranteed activity contract, their future success being entirely dependent on Care UK’s ability to attract patients on their record of clinical quality and customer satisfaction.

“As the largest independent provider of both primary and secondary care services to the NHS, Care UK is confident that it can continue to bring real value to the NHS to help it address the quality and efficiency demands that it will increasingly have to face.

Treatment centres such as Barlborough have played a key role in helping PCTs to improve quality and hit targets for waiting times. Patients have come to expect to be seen and receive treatment much faster. Many of our centres see and treat patients within a few weeks of referral. I doubt patients will tolerate a return to the bad old days when someone could wait, in pain, for many months and even years for a replacement knee or hip. The concept of patient choice which these centres help deliver are now embedded in public expectations.”

This is also great news for the staff at the 3 centres as it means that 120 jobs will be secured at Barlborough, around 90 at Eccleshill and a further 20 at High Wycombe.”

Gillingham Treatment Centre achieves full endoscopy accreditation

The accreditation comes from the Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy (JAG). It ensures the quality and safety of patient care by defining and maintaining standards by which endoscopy is practiced in the UK.

One patient to have benefitted from having an endoscopy at the Centre is Mrs Kay Howard-Challis, from Sittingbourne. She went on to have a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the removal of her gallbladder, which was performed as day case surgery.

Mrs Howard-Challis said: “I could not have been treated any better - it was absolutely first class. Everything was clearly explained clearly to me and the team at the Will Adams Centre were wonderful. It was also very clean - the whole building was spotless.”

Dr Ron Hoile, Care UKs Medical Director at the Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre, said: “JAG accreditation is not awarded lightly and we are only the fourth endoscopy service to receive accreditation this year. JAG accreditation demonstrates the quality of the endoscopic services we provide and the competence of all the staff involved. This is an award of which we can be justifiably proud.”

Jane Higgins, General Manager of the Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre, said: “I am delighted with the JAG accreditation for our Endoscopy service. We were considered an excellent facility and one in which the inspectors would be happy to be treated in.

“Our corporate governance approach was considered outstanding, our patient feedback was the best ever seen and we received high praise for our attention to detail. This is an outstanding achievement for our staff and reflects the amount of work they have put it. They fully deserve this accreditation.”

For more information about Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre please contact:

Alan Rustad
AR Communications
Tel 0844 585 5959/07976 722726
Email; alan@ar-comms.com

For more information on Care UK please contact:

Sheila Roberts
Care UK
01206 517215

Care UK gets Jeanette back in the books

Keen reader Jeanette Ryder can now delve back into her favourite novels, after what she describes as “life changing” double Cataract surgery at Care UK's Southampton NHS Treatment Centre.

Jeanette had been constantly cleaning the lenses of her glasses, thinking the fact they were smeared and dirty was impairing her vision. However, whilst driving one day, the traffic lights appeared to have halo-like rings around them and it was at this point she realised there was a serious problem.

Jeanette said: “It was actually quite frightening because I then realised I was struggling to do everyday things like driving and reading my books, which is one of my passions.”

Jeanette initially went to her optician, who advised her that she had the early signs of Cataracts, however “not to worry” as they would not form fully in her lifetime. However, at her annual check up a few weeks later, a different optician gave contrasting advice, advising her she should look into treatment. A trip to her GP followed soon after, where she was referred to Southampton Treatment Centre, in the care of Lead Ophthalmology Consultant, Mr Erfan Khadem.

“From the moment I met Mr Khadem I was put at ease by his knowledge, personal nature and confidence. He listened to everything I said, explained exactly what was going to happen, what I should expect and what the outcome would be. I was also told there and then when my surgery would take place – I couldn’t believe it would be so quick – people had told me it would take months!” said Jeanette.

Jeanette’s previous experience of hospital treatment had initially left her anxious about this latest visit:

“The last time I went for treatment I saw a different person every time I went there. I felt like a number and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. At the Treatment Centre everyone I met made me feel important, from the porters to the rurses and receptionists to surgeons. And it wasn’t just the people, the cleanliness of the place, the food – everything was perfect.”

Jeanette noticed the change in her eyesight within 24 hours of her treatment and is now back doing the things she loves, including reading her books:

“I can honestly say the treatment I received has changed my life. I’d recommend their treatment to anyone!”

Pictured: Mrs Ryder and Mr Khadem

Leading UK care service provider is a RoSPA award winner

The RoSPA awards scheme is not only about reducing the number of accidents and cases of ill-health at work; it also encourages organisations to develop robust health and safety management systems. The award recognises Care UK’s deep commitment to improving health and safety and fire risk management for the protection of all its residents and staff.

John Johnson, the manager in charge, said the award was the result of two years of hard work and planning which has taken the company’s health and safety practice to a new level.

“Most consultants have made health and safety practice and analysis more and more complex – we chose to go the other way. We decided to make it as clear and simple as possible, without dumbing it down, so allowing all members of staff to really understand and participate in the process and practicalities.

“We then travelled to most of our homes, training staff and carrying out environmental audits. The result is that we have an incredibly high buy-in from our staff at all levels and that is crucial to the success of translating policy into practice.”

John Johnson, Health and Safety Manager with Francis Gibson, Director of Nursing, Clinical and Care Governance

John says that within the next two years he expects Care UK will become the industry leader, with the practices praised by RoSPA being rolled out across the organisation as a whole.

He said: “This is not just good news for residents, service users and staff but makes sound business sense, as local authorities are increasingly looking for the re-assurance of excellence in health and safety policy and practices.”

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “Care UK’s residential care team has shown a commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its employees and others. Organisations which do this deserve to have such dedication recognised and that’s where the RoSPA awards come in.

“As well as there being clear ethical reasons and legal requirements for good health and safety management, there is also a strong business case. RoSPA is delighted to publicly honour organisations which have demonstrated their work to improve performance in this sphere.”

The Bronze award was presented at a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the National Exhibition Centre on Thursday 13 May. The ceremony took place alongside Safety and Health Expo 2010, Europe’s leading annual health and safety exhibition.

‘Top nurse’ crowned at top rated hospital

The Centre, which employs 68 dedicated and caring nurses, invited past and present patients and staff to nominate and vote for the nurse who they thought most deserves the ‘Top nurse’ award as part of its celebrations for National Nurses Week (6-12 May).

The ‘Top Nurse’ award went to Khuku Kganane of Clowne who has worked at the Centre for five years. Some of the comments received from patients about Khuku included; “He is caring, kind and is willing to help no matter of the situation.” ”He is a credit to the profession. He sets very high standards in all aspects of nursing.”

Barlborough prides itself on providing first class care to all of its patients. During National Nurses Week, the centre rewarded staff and highlighted the excellent work that its nursing staff carry out. The Centre receives lots of praise and comments from patients about its wonderful nursing staff.

As well as the award, during National Nurses Week, children from the local Treetops Nursery visited the Centre and had fantastic fun by dressing up in scrubs and carrying out role play with their teddies that they took along.

Graeme Kendall, Manager at Care UK’s Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre said: “Our nurses are a credit to the centre. We receive so many fantastic comments from patients telling us how they are extremely well looked after by our nurses. Having local children come along to help us celebrate National Nurses Day was a lovely gesture, they brought smiles to many faces as they handed out goodies and they really enjoyed dressing up.”

Care UK prides itself on its extremely low infection rates and has never had a case of hospital acquired MRSA or C.difficile.

Run by an independent company with an impressive track record in patient care and clinical success, on behalf of the NHS for NHS patients only, the Centre provides day care and inpatient orthopaedic surgery for patients from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It prides itself on providing the best patient care at its unique facility in friendly and comfortable surroundings.

The Centre, is situated less than one mile from Junction 30 of the M1 which makes it very accessible and the parking is free.

Inspiring stories on the big screen

The film, called ‘Our Stories’, will be shown at the Odeon Cinema in Colchester. It shows how Care UK has worked alongside eight people with learning disabilities to enable them to live the lives they want through training, consultation and mentoring.

The film features service users from some of Care UK’s ‘Listen to me’ groups, a nationwide network of self-advocacy groups representing the views of over 600 people with learning disabilities supported by Care UK.

The ‘Listen to me’ groups are located across England and Scotland and they meet every six to eight weeks to share ideas and to discuss how services can be improved for other service users. The group works in partnership with Care UK to influence directly how the services are delivered and managed.

Fran Winney of Care UK said: ”They are an inspiring group of people who are passionate about working together with us to ensure we can help service users lead fulfilling and empowered lives.

“They wanted to share their stories and tell people how they not only worked with Care UK to achieve the life they want, but also how they have helped and inspired other people by directly improving our services. This is an inspiring film about making the difference.”

The film features founder group member Steven Miller as he spends the day in and around Colchester, his local town, travelling on buses to his favourite shops and cafés and meeting with his wide social network. Steven, who hopes to make more films in the future, has been a leading light in the group, taking part in debates about how Care UK can further empower service users in the future.

Martin Wright, from Colchester was also one of the first members of the ‘Listen to me group’. His views have been key to making inclusion happen in areas such as recruitment.

Martin’s life goal was to have a real job. With support from Care UK, he was able to find a work placement to give him the skills he would need and the film shows his achievements. He said: “I would love to do more filming, and I enjoyed showing people the Art Café. I had great fun”

One of the most inspiring stories comes from Donna Mc Vitte from Newcastle. Donna describes how Care UK helped her take on the challenge of owning her own home and how it has bought her happiness she never expected.

Donna said: ”I enjoyed showing people where I live and enjoyed telling my story. It was excellent.”

Tickets for the screening of the film at Colchester are by invitation only