Health in Hull

1 Waiting times will be cut

Patients will wait a maximum of 18 weeks from seeing a GP to receiving hospital treatment, and ideally no longer than nine weeks.

Case study

Mary, who is 68, recently started suffering with chest pains. She went to see her GP who referred her to see a consultant cardiologist. At her initial consultation she underwent a series of diagnostic tests which meant that her particular problem – angina - was diagnosed quickly. Her course of treatment was started within a couple of months, and this meant that Mary was still able to book her annual sunshine holiday with the peace of mind that her health is back on track.

2 Better Choice

Patients will have more choice over when, where and how they receive healthcare.

Case study

80-year-old Bernard is a retired trawlerman. Over the past few months, he has been experiencing stomach pains and was diagnosed with gallstones just before Christmas. He needed key-hole surgery to remove his gallbladder. Bernard was given the choice of where and when to have his operation. He chose to go to Scunthorpe General Hospital, early in the new year, because his daughter lives on the south bank meaning it would be easier for her to visit him in hospital.

3 Package of care

Patients will receive quick and convenient quality care for mental health problems and learning disabilities.

Case study

Chris is an 18 year old with a learning disability. But he is also someone who feels in control of his own healthcare thanks to a process called Health Action Planning. With help from his community nurse, Chris drew up a 'health action plan,' which covers all his health needs such as dental care, medication, eye care and much more. Developing his plan in this way has helped him to realise how important his own health is and given him confidence to ask questions when he doesn't understand something. Chris feels he is really progressing, and is able to attend appointments with the dentist and optician on his own.

4 Right skills, right time, right place

Patients will receive care from staff with a range of different skills, and be given more choice in who provides their care.

Case study

92-year-old Ethel lives in a care home. She is a little unsteady on her feet and, even though she uses a walking frame, she does sometimes have a fall. The care home manager can call upon the services of the Emergency Care Practitioners, a team of specially-trained professionals, with skills of both paramedics and nurses, who are able to see and treat people with minor injuries in their own home. This means that when she does fall, Ethel doesn't need to go to hospital, but can be seen quickly and have her injury dealt with in a setting where she feels comfortable.

5 Convenience

More people will know how to get the most suitable and convenient treatment whenever they become unwell.

Case study

Tony (45) works shifts in a factory. At the beginning of his two-to-ten shift he started with a runny nose and gradually got worse as the day went on. By the time he clocked off, he felt terrible. Thankfully, the pharmacy he passed on his way home was open until midnight, so he was able to call in, speak to the pharmacist about his symptoms, and take away some medication to ease his symptoms and enable him to get a good night's sleep.

6 Your interests at heart

Both health services and social care services will work together, in the interests of local people.

Case study

Pete and Ruth had just celebrated thier silver wedding anniversary. Ruth has multiple sclerosis and over the past 12 months her condition has got worse, meaning that she is no longer able to work. Pete and Ruth are grateful for the support offered to them by the Hull Carers' Centre, which is jointly funded by Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust and Hull City Council. Staff and volunteers at teh centre have been able to give advice to the couple on all manner of things, ranging from health care, social security benefits and respite care, through to social activities. Sometimes they can just be a listening ear.

7 Reaching your potential

Patients will be able to use services which support families and help children to reach their potential.

Case study

Chantelle (24) began smoking at the age of 14 because all her mates did and she thought it looked cool. Now ten years later she has just found out she is pregnant with her first child. Her partner Liam is a non-smoker and has been encouraging Chantelle to give up for a while. With the health of her unborn child in mind, Chantelle made a call to the NHS Stop Smoking Service for some advice. It was suggested that she take advantage of the specially-trained smoking cessation midwife, who could visit her at home and give her one-to-one support. Chantelle's decision to quit at an early stage in her pregnancy ensured that her baby will get the healthiest possible start in life.

8 Common-sense approach

Patients will receive high quality services which are safe and efficient.

Case study

36-year-old Marie is a mother of two children, both under five. She had been due to attend her local GP practice for a check up with her youngest child, Kyle, but heard on the radio that the practice was temporarily closed due to a burst pipe, which had caused considerable damage to much of the practice. After calling the advice number given on the radio, she was advised to attend a different surgery close by where she would still be seen by her own GP. This was made possible because Kyle's patient details were held on a central, safe and secure computer system which could still be accessed by her GP, even in a different health building. More importantly for Marie, she didn't have to re-arrange Kyle's appointment, was still seen promptly and able to collect her other child from nursery on time.

9 The right support

Patients will receive advice and support to make the right healthy lifestyle choices, in order to live longer and healthier lives.

Case study

62-year-old Dave received a letter inviting him to take part in the bowel cancer screening programme. This really struck a chord with Dave, as a mate from his darts team had been diagnosed with bowel cancer last year. So he decided to send off for the free home testing kit, which landed on his doorstep a few days later. The instructions for using the kit were simple to follow and, within a week, his completed test was in the post and on its way to the screening office. Luckily for Dave, his results were all clear.

10 Sound money management

The Primary Care Trust will spend its money wisely according to the health needs of local people.

Case study

As she approached her 40th birthday, Deb liked to think that she was still a dedicated follower of fashion, however her feet thought differently. Years of cramming her size 5s into high-heeled pointed toe stilettos had taken its toll and Deb had developed bunions. This meant as well as severe pain when she walked, wearing strappy sandals was also out of the question. Her doctor had told Deb she needed surgery to correct her problem, but having read the papers and heard on the news about financial difficulties that some NHS trusts were having, she was concerned whether her trust in Hull would have enough money to fund this type of operation. But she needn't have worried. Careful financial management by Hull Teaching PCT meant that it has not had to change what it routinely does or doesn't fund because of the need to save money and operations like Deb's can still go ahead.