NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group first in UK to review county health services to sustain future of high quality care
NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has announced it will be reviewing the way NHS care is provided in Dorset in order to sustain a high quality of care for people living in the county.
The review is the first to be done in the UK, making NHS Dorset CCG a leader in building a health service capable of supporting the needs of local patients in the future.
The review of Dorset’s health services follows research showing the NHS is facing significant challenges. In Dorset, these challenges include changing population, clinical standards and financial pressures.
As the organisation responsible for planning and funding healthcare in Dorset, NHS Dorset CCG’s pioneering review of local care services will explore how these challenges can be solved before they can impact on the quality of care provided for local residents.
The review will be undertaken in partnership with GPs, hospitals, local authorities and the public, and will go through three stages:
- Stage one: Design – a review of current services and the creation of a blueprint for future services that will clearly state what changes are proposed.
- Stage two: Consult – a public consultation so people can have their say on any changes proposed.
- Stage three: Implement – delivery of any agreed changes.
Stage one will run from October 2014 – spring 2015.
Dr Forbes Watson, chair of NHS Dorset CCG and local GP at Lyme Bay Medical Practice explains why the review is necessary and important: “There are three reasons for carrying out this review.
“Increasing life expectancy is affecting all NHS and social care organisations and more so for us in Dorset, where 25 per cent of our residents are over 65 years old. At the other end of the scale, our population of under 20s is growing by 30 per cent and these younger people also have different healthcare needs.
“There are also clinical challenges to consider, such as availability of skills and staff while maintaining quality standards of care.
“There isn’t any extra money to solve these challenges, so another part of the review will include looking at how we can make services in Dorset financially viable. We need to rebuild a health and social care system that is sustainable for future use for our family, friends and communities.”
Dr Watson goes on to say: “As a practicing GP, I can see many ways we can make improvements without compromising quality and services. We can work with partners to integrate health and social care, encourage health promotion and disease prevention and provide services as close to home as possible.”
NHS Dorset CCG is holding a public information event to explain what the Clinical Services Review will entail and how everyone in Dorset can get involved. This takes place on Wednesday October 22, 9am-12 noon at the Bournemouth International Centre.
Book a place by calling 01305 368073 or registering online at: www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk.
Ends
Issued by NHS Dorset CCG: Please contact Emma Wray: emma.wray@dorsetccg.nhs.uk / 07768486576 or Keith Williams keith.williams@dorsetccg.nhs.uk / 07767 006786 for more information and interview requests.
Notes for Editors:
The media is welcome to attend the event on 22 October and interviews and sound bites with our spokespeople can be arranged on the day.
NHS Dorset CCG is the third largest clinical commissioning group in England, in terms of population and with a commissioning budget of £947m, the second largest in financial terms. Whilst the CCG does not directly provide any health services, it has responsibility for commissioning (planning and funding) them.