NHS News - September 2004.
In partnership with Health Direction

Barnet PCT - Disabled Access
A local group, Disability Action borough of Barnet (DAbB), has visited 12 clinics in the Barnet area and claim that the majority do not meet the new Disability Discrimination Act standards which come into force in October. [click here to read more]

Bristol North/Bristol South and West PCTs - Substance Misuse
A new alcohol website has been launched in Bristol - it has information on the identification and management of alcohol problems as well as information on local alcohol services.

Cambridge City and South Cambs PCTs - Management Change
Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire PCTs are discussing a management team merger, but one which would mean that the PCTs remain separate entities, with their own financial resources and the ability to respond to the needs of their own localities.

Chelmsford PCT / Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust - Management Merger
Chelmsford PCT and Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust are making moves towards an integrated management structure. This follows the appointment of a joint chief executive for the two trusts in April.

Doncaster PCTs - Respiratory Disease
Lung disease caused by smoking has been highlighted in the Annual Public Health Report as this region's most significant health problem. The Doncaster PCTs have already appointed an extra Respiratory Nurse and invested in smoking cessation services.

Epping Forest PCT - CAMHS
In September, Epping Forest PCT is launching a new mental health initiative targeted at secondary schools in the area. This will include a mental health worker providing early intervention, assessment and treatment for a wide range of problems. [click here to read more]

Northamptonshire Heartlands PCT - Award
Brenda Elldred, Physiotherapy Services Manager, has won the SHA's Leadership and Innovation Award for 2004. She has cut waiting times from 26 to four weeks by introducing initiatives such as capacity and demand analysis and a patient self-help programme.

Nottingham PCTs - Out of Hours
PCTs in Nottingham have commissioned the privately-run Nottingham Emergency Medical Services to operate their out of hours services from October. Gedling PCT is managing the changes on behalf of Broxtowe and Hucknall, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe PCTs.

South Stoke PCT - CHD
Twelve practices in the PCT are to pilot an internet-based system which will instantly refer patients to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. [click here to read more]

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust - CHD
Leicester's hospitals are leading an international project in which the families of some heart attack patients will be given defibrillators - 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home and the chances of survival diminish by 10% every minute without treatment. [click here to read more]

Waltham Forest PCT - Physician Practitioner
Waltham Forest PCT is one of only three PCTs to be piloting the role of Physician Practitioner. The new role of Physician Practitioner (for either primary or acute care) was launched in July. [click here to read more]

Wales - Local Health Board News

Swansea LHB - Expert Patient Programme
Following a successful pilot scheme at Swansea and Gwynedd LHBs, it is now proposed that Expert Patient Programmes be set up throughout Wales, with a facilitator at each LHB and a host LHB taking a regional lead. Swansea is to lead for Mid and West Wales.

Swansea NHS Trust - Cancer Centre
The South West Wales Cancer Centre will be officially opened in September. The Centre comprises the Chemotherapy Day Unit, Cancer Institute and Breast Care Centre, and is in the grounds of Singleton Hospital.

Scotland - Local NHS News

NHS Tayside - Older Peoples' Mental Health
NHS Tayside has launched a new service for older people with mental health difficulties. Four Older Peoples' Community Mental Health Teams (OPCMHTs) will serve the population of Perth and Kinross and will include doctors, nurses, OTs and social workers. [click here to read more]

NHS Tayside - Teenage Health
Health professionals from NHS Tayside attended this year's T in the Park festival to hand out more than 700 bottles of factor 30 sun cream and 10,000 condoms. This was funded by money from the National Lottery.

Northern Ireland - Local NHS News

Northern H and SSB - Diabetes
The Board's Diabetes Services Advisory Group has launched a Diabetes Integrated Care Handbook which brings together best practice guidelines with information from community, primary and secondary care. A CD-based version will be available early next year.

Northern LHSCG - Commissioning
The LHSCG is planning a series of service review workshops. It is taking responsibility for commissioning a range of health and social services on behalf of the Western H and SSB and intends to review how these meet current and anticipated need. [click here to read more]

Southern H and SSB - CHD
The H and SSB has teamed up with Developing Patient Partnerships to launch a new DIY style leaflet containing advice and information on how to reduce cholesterol levels.

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