Patient care to be revolutionised at UHSM

UHSM's Acting Chief Executive Karen James has unveiled a new model of care which will revolutionise the way patients are treated - and is a first for the North West.

She told the Society of Acute Medicine's annual international conference how senior doctors, nurses and managers here at Wythenshawe are pioneering new round the clock ways of working which will ensure care of patients is both equitable and enhanced. These include:

• Consultant- led decision making available at the front door seven days a week
• Admission avoidance, with enhanced access to expert care, delivered at outpatients clinics
• Consultant cover for medical specialty wards ‘Every ward, Every day’
• All patients transferring out of the Acute Medical Unit will have a consultant review within 24 hours of being transferred
• Effective integrated assessment teams at all times 24/7
• Nurses rather than doctors able to discharge patients saving waiting times for patients ready to go home

The initiative follows recent reports that across the UK patients are less likely to get treated promptly and more likely to die if they are admitted to hospital at the weekend. The chances of survival are better in hospitals that have more senior doctors on site, but there are some A&E departments which have few senior doctors in hospital at weekends or overnight.

Along with every other hospital in the country, UHSM is having to make significant financial savings - £18million this year alone – so senior staff believe this initiative is bold, imaginative and timely. They say it has only come about because of team work and an understanding that the whole system had to be redesigned to support seven day working.

Karen says: “We have a reputation for innovation at this hospital. I believe this new way of working, which will be implemented over the next six months, will improve efficiency and effectiveness. We should see no more manic Mondays, no more Friday shutdowns and most importantly will be better for our patients.”

Dr Mark Holland, Secretary of the Society of Acute Medicine, believes that UHSM is leading the way in engaging with its doctors and nurses to deliver treatments and care for patients. “This Conference is all about pushing the boundaries and sharing best practice with delegates from across the world. Wythenshawe Hospital is demonstrating what is possible with innovative thinking, collaboration and determination.”

"At UHSM we are doing well. Our survival rates are among the best in the country and we make sure that consultants are visible and available. This is about challenging ourselves to be as good as we can be for the good of our patients. And, by approaching healthcare in a unique way we are able to reduce length of stay which suits our patients, avoid unnecessary admissions and provide a service that is efficient, effective and economical. And as a major teaching hospital it will offer even greater support to trainee doctors and nurses."

Karen James
Acting Chief Executive