October 2010

An update from medical director Dr Malcolm RidgwayWork to establish a GP consortia is in an early phase of development with the LMC leading the process. The LMC are to hold a local meeting with GPs to debate how to take things forward locally including consortium size and geography, how GPs can get involved, the process around elections or appointments to the consortium board, organisational form, appointment of executives and so on.
Transformational commissioning board & Professional executive committeeThe Transformational Commissioning Board (aka Practice Based Commissioning) recently discussed a number of important issues. Treatment room is being looked at one more time to see if there is any way that we can improve the offer to practices given the reduced funding and increase in workload – the result will be fed back in the next bulletin.
Public Health Annual Report People in Blackburn with Darwen are living longer, but the gap between local life expectancy and that in some other parts of the country has grown, according to the latest report into the health needs of the local population. The Public Health Annual Report 2010 reveals the current state of local health and sets out what needs to be done to improve the 'life chances' of the borough's residents.
Paediatric referral pathwaysIn December 2010, paediatric care is being reconfigured throughout East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. All in-patient beds for children will be centralised at the Royal Blackburn Hospital's Children's Medical Unit, and Deerplay Ward at Burnley General Hospital will close.
Maternity care pathwaysBy the end of 2010, women's and children's care will be reconfigured throughout East Lancashire. The biggest changes are in maternity services, with the opening of three midwife-led birth centres located at Park Lee Road, Blackburn, as part of the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre in the grounds of Burnley General Hospital, and in the Rossendale Primary Healthcare Centre, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall.
Patient transport eligibilityEast Lancashire is one of five areas in the North West to formally adopt eligibility criteria for patient transport services (PTS) from October 4. It comes ahead of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust's lead commissioner NHS Blackpool taking overall responsibility for PTS in the region from April 2011, when all PTS providers will be expected to work to a national standard framework.
Mental health services proposals under the spotlightProposals to re-organise inpatient mental health services in Lancashire are to be reviewed in light of the coalition government's new rules on service change in the NHS.
Choose and Book on the moveThe Patient Choice Centre and Choose and Book Team have moved to Walshaw House, Nelson.
Transforming Community ServicesBlackburn with Darwen PSU has submitted plans to be hosted by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, in line with the government requirement to separate commissioning and provider services within the NHS from April 2011.
Breastfeeding support group to ceaseLittle Angels, the breastfeeding support group for new mothers, will no longer provide services in Blackburn with Darwen from October 1.

NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus, Guide Business Centre, School Lane, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 2QH

Tel: 01254 282000 Fax: 01254 282002