Urgent Care Horizon Scanning Volume 1 Issue 7

Out of hours (OOH) primary care services

Source: Department of Health

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Year of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Letter

In a nutshell: A letter from David Colin-Thome, National Director for Primary Care, to primary care trusts in relation to the Care Quality Commission independent enquiry into provision of out-of-hours GP services. This letter reiterates that PCTs have a legal obligation to make sure out of hours services are delivered safely and to a high standard.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Enquiry indicates nationwide gap in monitoring out-of-hours GP services

Source: Care Quality Commission

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Press Release 

In a nutshell: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) enquiry into the out-of-hours care provided by Take Care Now, reports that it fears PCTs may not be effectively monitoring performance of GP out-of-hours services.  The enquiry was triggered by the tragic case of Mr David Gray, a patient treated by an out-of-hours locum doctor from Germany who died following the administration of 100mg of diamorphine.

Following visits to the five PCTs that commission services from Take Care Now, the CQC found that trusts do not consistently and routinely look in detail at the quality of care.  PCTs must look at details like the quality of clinical decisions, the efficiency of call handling, the adequacy of staffing and doctors’ training in order to rigorously monitor performance.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Pandemic influenza: additional measures to meet workforce supply

Source: Department of Health 

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Best practice

In a nutshell: This document has been prepared to complement existing guidance provided by the Department of Health and NHS Employers in relation to pandemic influenza planning.  It answers the frequently asked questions and, wherever possible, directs readers to more substantive guidance already in existence.

Length of publication: 9 pages

What’s New in Emergency Pre-hospital Care Research?

Source: Emergency Medicine Journal, 2009, 26 (10), p. 747 – 478.

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Posters and summaries of papers delivered at What’s New in Emergency Pre-hospital Care Research? a 2008 conference organised by 999 EMS Research Forum in collaboration with University of Sheffield and The National Ambulance Research Steering Group. Papers cover current research in areas of paramedic practice.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: Contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Swine flu clinical package

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: The swine flu clinical package is a set of tools for use by frontline healthcare professionals, in severe and exceptional circumstances, during a pandemic situation. The tools in the package are designed to support and empower GPs, community nurses, midwives, health visitors, ambulance crews, emergency department doctors, nurses and those working outside their usual specialty area (e.g. junior doctors or surgeons working in influenza cohort wards). The package will assist these health care professionals to assess patients, authorise antiviral medicines, refer those with severe illness or complications, and guide timely management of patients in hospital.

Length of publication: 15 pages

Some important notes: These tools and pathways are for use only when high surge demand leads to the need for strict hospital admission triage in affected areas. They should not be used when emergency departments and acute admissions units are working with their usual establishment of trained staff, and can operate their usual daily decision pathways, including providing hospital beds for every person fulfilling normal criteria for admission.

The tools are not intended for the assessment of patients routinely presenting for the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated influenza at an emergency department. These patients should be directed to use the National Pandemic Flu Service, or to contact a primary care surgery or clinic.

Ambulance HART – Harzardous Area Response Team

Source: Ambulance HART (Harzardous Area Response Team)

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Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell:  Hazardous Area Response Teams originated from a 2004 report on the feasibility of Paramedics working in the inner cordon or hot zone of major incidents. The website explains the roll of  HART programme and reports on the progress of creating HART teams within Ambulance Services. Areas covered included:  recruitment, training, current initiatives, a news wire and online access to the Inside HART newsletter.

Same day health centre soon to open in Fleetwood

Source: NHS North Lancashire

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Date of publication: September 2009

Publication type: Press Release

In a nutshell: Local GPs and staff at NHS North Lancashire are preparing for the opening of new medical services in Fleetwood. The same day health centre will be based at Fleetwood Hospital and will provide healthcare for patients with a new or recent injury or illness. The centre is being provided by Coastal Health Care on behalf of NHS North Lancashire. The same day health centre will provide healthcare services for residents of Fleetwood and surrounding areas from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It will offer treatment for minor illness and injuries with a GP or nurse.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

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Urgent Care Horizon Scanning Volume 1 Issue 6