Patient choice: Let’s work together
Patient Choice has further extended NHS access to ‘private’
hospitals. But this is only one way that the independent sector is
making a difference
Through Patient Choice, individual patients now have many more
options as to where they can receive healthcare. But ‘choice’ in
the NHS has existed for much longer, particularly for primary care
trusts which are increasingly choosing to work with independent
providers on local healthcare solutions. Jill Watts, CEO of Ramsay
Health Care UK, says: “PCTs are the experts in local healthcare
planning, and it is vital that they have a range of options
available. Contracting some services out to alternative providers
has already benefited NHS patients enormously, as a contributing
factor in the huge decrease in patient waiting times that we have
seen over the last few years.”
Since the first days of collaborations with the NHS, Jill has
seen Ramsay’s partnership work grow increasingly strategic: “While
short-term contracting to reduce waiting lists has been invaluable,
we are increasingly being approached with innovative new ideas to
develop services as part of longer-term planning. Our hospitals are
now involved in a wide variety of NHS collaborations, from weight
management and bariatric services, to community outreach clinics,
to ‘assess and treat’ physiotherapy services.”
Having worked with the NHS for many years, Ramsay Health Care is
strongly placed as a partnership provider. She continues: “Our work
for the NHS ranges from local agreements to national contracts
right down to the decisions of individuals through Patient Choice
so we see the full spectrum of where our organisation makes a
difference.” With over 35 facilities throughout England, Ramsay
Health Care can offer opportunities for partnership working in a
number of healthcare communities. The case study is just one
example of how a PCT and a local independent hospital can be
perfect partners.
Partnership eases pain for patients and PCT
With a backlog of NHS patients waiting for assessment by a
spinal consultant in Colchester, North East Essex Primary Care
Trust needed an innovative solution within the local community.
Situated in the heart of Colchester and with a strong local
reputation, Ramsay’s Oaks Hospital was a promising partner. In 2007
the PCT approached The Oaks’ physiotherapy department to develop a
triage proposal on a pilot basis.
The proposal was accepted and The Oaks began a contract to
triage 20 new patients per week. All NHS patients with spinal
problems are referred to the local clinical assessment service who
then send documentation to The Oaks. Patients are fully assessed by
The Oaks extended scope spinal physiotherapist who diagnoses the
problem and decides whether the patient should be referred to the
spinal consultant, the pain consultant, for an MRI scan or for
physiotherapy. The physiotherapy is undertaken at The Oaks. Any
complex needs are discussed at a regular multidisciplinary meeting
which consists of the spinal surgeon, radiologist, pain consultant
and extended scope physiotherapist.
Jo Hutchinson, The Oaks’ physiotherapy manager, says: “The
contract has ensured a dramatic drop in the number of patients
being sent as a routine referral to the spinal consultant. Patients
have said how impressed they are with the service and are receiving
good treatment in a timely fashion. We have triaged over 750
patients so far and the results are very encouraging.”
Matt Bushell, the PCT’s director of Strategic Development and
Commissioning, says: “The PCT is delighted with the results, both
for the patients and for the waiting list of the spinal consultant.
We are very pleased to be able to offer this valuable and
innovative service as a true NHS partnership.”
The PCT has now developed its preferred spinal pathway and is in
the process of procuring services.