Accessing the NHS in Britain’s most diverse city

Variables of difference in ethnicity, immigration status, rights and entitlements, age and gender profiles and patterns of distribution of new migrants mean that the UK is now home to the most diverse population ever experienced – so-called ‘super-diversity’. Super-diversity challenges multicultural models of welfare provision originally based on an understanding of migrants as large and geographically contained clusters of mainly postcolonial migrants. These changes come at a time when migration has become politicized, multiculturalism is being questioned, a shift is under way towards assimilation and welfare provision has become re-racialized. This paper argues that models of welfare provision should be rethought to take account of super-diversity in a way that is affordable, politically acceptable and meets the needs of all. Using data from studies of health service provision in the West Midlands the paper explores the challenges of meeting the needs of new migrants under existing provision, the costs of failing to adapt to super-diversity and the reasons why provision has failed to adapt.

The paper concludes by arguing the need for different approaches and suggesting new ways forward.

Please follow this link to read the report in full: http://csp.sagepub.com/content/31/1/5.abstract

Review of access to the NHS by foreign nationals

This consultation provides the public and others with the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the charging Regulations for overseas visitors requiring hospital treatment, and the recovery of any charges, and also initial thinking around possible future introduction of health insurance for some visitors. This may also be of interest to UK nationals / residents.

Please follow link for further information:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_113243.pdf_

Choose the right service this winter

RESIDENTS across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being asked to take note of GP opening times to avoid unscheduled visits to A&E this Christmas.

Patients are being urged to check their GP and pharmacy opening times should people feel unwell or need advice on headaches, flu-like symptoms, vomiting and severe tummy pain.

With many GP surgeries preparing for a four-day holiday shutdown, the advice is to take a few simple steps to avoid the risk of unnecessary visits to A&E or long waits to see a doctor out of hours:

• Keep a note of the NHS Direct number by your phone for timely advice – 0845 4647
• Your GP should be the first port of call. If they are unavailable, use the out of hours service. The details of this should be on the surgery’s answer phone message.
• Check your GP’s Christmas opening hours by calling the customer services teams
• Act now to get a repeat prescription only if your regular medication is likely to run out over the Christmas bank holiday weekend
• Ensure your medicine cabinet is well stocked with basic medicines including cold and flu remedies, which should be stored securely
• Check your local pharmacy details and opening hours using the NHS text service. Simply text ‘pharmacy’ to 64746 and receive three free texts with details of your nearest pharmacy

Traditionally at this time of year many people wrongly visit A&E when they could get quicker, more appropriate treatment elsewhere.

Mark Williams, consultant in the emergency department at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “I would like to encourage people to think before visiting the emergency department this Christmas and contact their GP for an appointment if their illness is not an emergency.  There are a number of alternative places for you to seek appropriate treatment such as NHS Direct, an NHS walk in centre, the urgent care centre, which is based at the Royal Infirmary, your GP or a local pharmacy.”

Dr Chris Trzcinski, a GP and chairman of NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland’s professional executive committee, said: “It is really important that everyone knows the best place to go for medical care when they need it, which will help to avoid unnecessary pressure on life-saving services such as A&E this winter.

“Find out when your GP surgery is open and if it offers extended opening hours. You can also get treatment at walk-in centres or minor injury units. Should you need a GP out of hours, call the surgery as normal and there will be a message telling you how to contact the out-of-hours service. If you are not registered with a GP practice, or cannot get through, call 0845 045 0411.”

Dr Aly Rashid, speaking on behalf of NHS Leicester City, said: “We understand people fall poorly with a range of illnesses this time of year and we are here to help. If you experience prolonged tummy pain, ear and head pain or vomiting make an appointment to see your GP. If the illness occurs out of surgery hours please use the contact number provided on the surgery’s answer phone message.”

Residents are also reminded to keep a well stocked medicine cabinet, which is kept safely away from children, in the event that they can’t get to a pharmacy during the bank holidays. This should include paracetamol, plasters, rehydration and diarrhoea treatment, antiseptic cream, a thermometer and cold and flu remedies.

Patients will continue to be able to access services at walk-in centres and minor injury units across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland during the holiday period at:

• Oadby and Wigston Walk-In Medical Centre (8am-8pm, 365 days a year)
• Loughborough Walk-In Centre, Pinfold Gate, Loughborough (24 hours, 365 days a year)
• Lutterworth Minor Injury Unit, Fielding Palmer Hospital  (9am-9pm, 365 days a year)
• Market Harborough Minor Injury and Illness Unit, Market Harborough and District Hospital  (9am-9pm, 365 days a year)
• Melton Mowbray Minor Injury and Illness Unit, Melton Mowbray Hospital,  (weekends and bank holidays 9.30am-1.30pm from 20 December)
• Rutland Minor Injury and Illness Unit, Rutland Memorial Hospital  From 20 December 9am-5pm weekdays. Urgent care is available 9am-9pm weekends and bank holidays. Please call the out of hours service first on 0845 045 0411 for appropriate advice.
• The Merlyn Vaz Health and Social Care Centre (8am-8pm, 365 days a year)
• Leicester Royal Infirmary Urgent Care Centre (24 hours, 365 days a year)

In addition SSAFA walk-in service at the Merlyn Vaz Health Centre will be available to all city patients from 8am to 8pm everyday throughout the holiday period.

For more information visit www.leicestercity.nhs.uk or call NHS Leicester City’s customer services team to find your nearest pharmacist on 0116 295 7011. To find your nearest pharmacy or walk-in centre in the county visit NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland’s website at www.lcr.nhs.uk and click on the green Find Services button.

NHS employers warning against immigration cap

Karen Charman, head of employment services at NHS Employers, have warned against the new immigration cap which will place an unnecessary administrative burden on the NHS forcing delays in recruiting and increased costs.

Read more

An immigration cap insults NHS workers

This political stunt could block much-needed specialist workers from settling in Britain when they are vital for our economy and public services, says Kailash Chand.

One of Britain’s most famous institutions – the NHS – was built with the help of immigrant workers and professionals from across the world. Thousands of doctors immigrated from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, recruited by a health service afflicted by an acute post-war shortage of medical staff.

Read more

NHS White Paper published

The NHS White Paper “Equity and Excellence : Liberating the NHS” was published on 12th July 2010. It can be accessed online at:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_117353

It sets out the Government’s long term vision for the future of the NHS. The vision builds on the core values and principles of the NHS, a comprehensive service, available to all, free at the point of use, based on need, not the ability to pay.

Under the new plans, patients will be able to choose which GP practice they register with, regardless of where they live.  Other changes include groups of GPs being given freedom and responsibility for commissioning care for their local communities.  Services will be more joined up, supported by a new role for Local Authorities to support integration across health and social care.  Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts will be phased out.

Arrangements for people whose Limited Leave to Remain expires in August and who wish to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain

Please find attached below a letter from UKBA regarding Indefinite Leave to Remain arrangements for refugees and those granted Humanitarian Protection whose 5 years Limited Leave to Remain expires from August 2010.  People falling into this category are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain on the grounds that they have a continuing need of protection.    A briefing pack is also attached which contains the following items:

Copy of UKBA website pages

Flyer

Customer Journey Presentation

SET (Protection route) Application form

First contact letter

Frequently asked questions

MAC publishes recommendations for shortage occupation list

Read more

Consultations on charging asylum seekers Healthcare fees published

Read more

Swine flu – local update 3 July 2009

The situation with swine flu has now changed. As swine flu spreads and there is transmission within the community, it makes sense to move from intensive efforts to contain the virus to focusing efforts on treating the increasing number of people who have the disease.

Swine flu itself remains, in most cases, a relatively mild illness, similar to seasonal flu and many people will not need to seek medical help.

It has always been clear that, at some point, the NHS would need to change the way patients are diagnosed and treated across the UK. Clinical diagnosis of swine flu is now handled by GPs rather than relying on laboratory test results. It is important that people with flu-like symptoms do not go to their GP’s surgery or local hospital, so GPs will confirm diagnosis over the phone. The NHS has established a number of treatment support centres across Leicestershire and Rutland where patients can obtain antiviral drugs authorised by GPs.

However, it will remain a matter of clinical discretion to decide whether antiviral medicines should be prescribed in individual cases.

As the number of cases rises, patients will be diagnosed and dealt with by the National Pandemic Flu Service. This will take the pressure off GPs by allowing people to be diagnosed (either online or via a dedicated call centre service) and receive an authorisation number for collecting a course of antivirals.

What to do if you think you may have swine flu

You should remain vigilant and anyone who thinks they have swine flu should follow these simple steps:

1. Check your symptoms using the online symptom checker:

·         visit www.nhs.uk

·         call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513

·         contact NHS Direct (0845 46 47 or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)

·         download the national flu information leaflet from our internet sites at: www.lcr.nhs.uk and www.lcrchs.nhs.uk

2. Call your GP if you feel you have symptoms of the virus. GPs will provide a clinical diagnosis over the phone.

3. If swine flu is diagnosed, GPs will provide patients with an authorisation voucher. The GP will either fax this form to the antiviral collection point or you can ask one of your flu friends to collect it for you. A flu friend can be a member of your family, a friend, a neighbour or a colleague. You should have a list of flu friends ready before you become ill. Agree among friends and family who will collect medicine on each others’ behalf. Also think about becoming a flu friend for neighbours or colleagues who live alone.

It is important that patients do not go to their GP practice or to a hospital as this may spread the virus to others and cause delays for patients who require more urgent medical care.

Immigration change will hurt NHS

Patient safety could be put at risk because changes to immigration rules could force hundreds of junior doctors out of the NHS, a union warns.

The British Medical Association said reform of the tier one skilled migrant category was unfair on foreign medics.

The union said it meant doctors in the first two years of training would not be able to apply for the next stage.

The BMA added that this could lead to a shortage of doctors eventually, compromising safety in the process.

Story from BBC NEWS:

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