Health Innovation North West Coast Health Innovation North West Coast

The way primary care services are delivered is changing, with different specialists on hand via GP practices and with a growing number of diagnostic tests, screening and treatments available in community pharmacies.  


We explore what’s in store for primary care in Cheshire and Merseyside after the launch of a new strategic framework which offers a timeline of actions at both local and system level.


Dr Jonathan Griffiths, Associate Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, and Adam Irvine, Primary Care Partner Member (Pharmacy) at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, are in conversation with Dr Phil Jennings, Chief Executive of Health Innovation North West Coast. 


Greg Stringer introduces the conversation.


Useful links:


The first two chapters of the Primary Care Strategic Framework are here: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/about/cheshire-and-merseyside-health-and-care-partnership/



The NHS Primary Care Access Recovery Plan is here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/delivery-plan-for-recovering-access-to-primary-care/



Find out more about the Pharmacy First service: https://cpe.org.uk/national-pharmacy-services/advanced-services/pharmacy-first-service/

For anyone involved in an emergency or needing urgent treatment, the experience can be scary and prolonged. For those who have cancer, the prospect is far more daunting. 

In Cheshire and Merseyside, health leaders have collaborated to create pathways and processes which ensure that cancer patients can avoid visits to A&E and potentially long stays in hospital awaiting decisions and treatment. 

We hear how they created a model which is now being held up as an exemplar nationally. 

Caroline Kenyon is in conversation with Dr Ernie Marshall, consultant medical oncologist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust; Dr Ragit Varia, acute medical lead for the urgent cancer care programme based at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; and Mel Warwick, programme lead. 

Useful links

NHS Providers case study:

https://nhsproviders.org/providers-deliver-trusts-in-systems/the-clatterbridge-cancer-centre-nhs-foundation-trust 

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust:

https://www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk/ 

Gideon Ben-Tovim OBE talks about the passions and experiences which have shaped his leadership, as he prepares to step down after ten years as Chair of the Innovation Agency.
A former researcher and author on race relations; Liverpool City Council Labour leader; chair of Liverpool Primary Care Trust; and champion of the natural environment, Gideon recalls pivotal moments in his career – and in the history of his home city. 
CLANG: Connect, keep Learning, Be Active, Take Notice and Give – devised by Gideon Ben-Tovim OBE.

Changes to the way diagnostic tests and screening are carried out in Cheshire and Merseyside mean many more tests are being carried out in more centres around the region. 

A system-wide transformation programme has streamlined processes and introduced a new, flexible staffing system, while improving access to tests for patients. 

Guests Liz Bishop and Dr Ash Bassi explain how the transformation is being carried out, in conversation with Caroline Kenyon.

Liz is Chief Executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and lead for the Cheshire and Merseyside Diagnostic Transformation Programme; and Senior Responsible Officer for Cancer in Cheshire and Merseyside. 
 
Ash is a consultant gastroenterologist at St Helens and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust; Clinical Lead for the Cheshire and Merseyside Endoscopy Network; and North West Transformation Lead for Endoscopy.

Diagnostics - NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

Cheshire and Merseyside leading the way to improved diagnostic testing - NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

An entrepreneurial doctor whose company is backed by the Innovation Agency, has become an Innovation Fellow with the NHS Innovation Accelerator.
Dr Michael Watts has helped to create a patient-centred, emergency-support software system designed to improve safety in maternity - Emergency Role Allocation (ERA).
ERA was the brainchild of midwife Caroline Lacey, of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
Michael is one of 17 new Innovation Fellows, selected to help spread cutting-edge solutions with the potential to transform healthcare.
In this podcast, Michael and Caroline tell us how the innovation came about – and the potential for the system to improve the safety of patients in a range of settings.
 
News story: https://www.innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk/news/Medic-backed-by-Innovation-Agency-joins-NHS-innovation-accelerator
NHS Innovation Accelerator: https://www.england.nhs.uk/aac/
Blum Health: https://blumtechgroup.com/
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme: https://www.england.nhs.uk/aac/what-we-do/how-can-the-aac-help-me/clinical-entrepreneur-programme

This episode explores innovations in cardiovascular disease management being delivered to patients in primary care. In particular, the conversation focusses on lipids management and the introduction of a new treatment pathway which includes novel therapies.
Innovation Agency chief executive Dr Phil Jennings talks to Dr Jim Moore, GP and president of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society.
To find out more about the Innovation Agency’s work in CVD, visit: https://www.innovationagencynwc.nhs.uk/lipids-and-cholesterol-management
Visit the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society website: www.pccsuk.org 
The Innovation Agency is part of the AHSN Network: https://www.ahsnnetwork.com/