Chief Executive Praise As Targets Are Met
16/04/2003
The Chief Executive of West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust has today praised NHS staff in the area following the release of the latest performance figures, which show that patients are benefiting from improved access to local health services.
According to March Patient Access Survey results, 94% of practices in West Gloucestershire were able to offer a routine appointment with a family doctor within 48 hours and 94% were able to offer an appointment with a primary care professional (such as a health care assistant or practice nurse) within 24 hours. The survey shows that the national target of 90% in both areas has been surpassed.
The report, which will be presented to PCT Board members tomorrow, also shows that at the end of March, there were only 9 patients experiencing a 'delayed transfer of care' from hospital in the West Gloucestershire area. This exceeds the end of financial year target set for the Primary Care Trust of 11 patients.
Chief Executive of West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Stephen Golledge explained that great efforts had been made to reduce the number of patients who were experiencing a delay in transfer from hospital. He said:
"Much is about ensuring that effective communication and connections are in place right across the NHS and Social Care. A great example of this is community health staff such as therapists and nurses spending time working alongside hospital staff to plan early for a patient's transfer from hospital".
The PCT is also working to develop services in local communities such as extra care housing and to make maximum use of community hospitals and other facilities to make sure patients receive care and treatment in the most appropriate place.
Board members will also hear tomorrow that challenging waiting times targets have been met in the county's hospitals. At the end of March, no West Gloucestershire patient was waiting longer than 3 months (13 weeks) for an outpatient appointment or 9 months for inpatient/day case treatment.
Stephen Golledge:
"These really are excellent achievements and NHS and social care staff in Gloucestershire deserve a huge pat on the back for their marvellous work to improve the patient's experience of local health services. It is important however, that we are not complacent, this is just the start, but it is a very firm foundation on which to build."
End of year results also point to significant achievements in Gloucestershire's A&E departments. In 2002/2003, 98% of patients were seen within 4 hours of arrival at Accident and Emergency, against the national target of 90%.
