Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2011/January 2012 | Page 101

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economy, because naturally it is expensive having
patients in hospital. We will have to look at integrating
much more across primary care, community care and
hospital care to remove duplication and improve care
for patients.”
Although the CCG executive is directly responsible for
the radical overhaul, the work is not just about those six
GPs, but all GPs across the Island, who will contribute
to various extents. The aim is to all work together to
get value for our money and make the Island’s NHS
sustainable.
No one expected this shake-up. When the coalition
Government took control there was nothing about
these plans in their manifesto. So it came as a complete
surprise to all that such a major reorganisation of
the Health Service was on the horizon – a move that
has almost certainly been precipitated by the current
financial crisis.
Changes will come right across the board, from
customary visits to the local GP through to mental
health and support for self care. Dr. Rivers claimed:
“Patients accessing medical care are unlikely to notice
many changes in the short term but they may be
aware of some cost saving changes when medication is
prescribed. In the long term I hope patients will be seen
more quickly and efficiently, and the quality will be
excellent.”
“We hope patients will have the feeling they are more
involved in understanding what is happening around
them. The care has to be of good quality, but effectively
and efficiently delivered. We are also ensuring the
patient gets as good an experience as possible and
in particular want them to feel properly involved in
decisions about their care.”
Dr. Rivers is confident the huge demands can be
met, adding: “The Isle of Wight is already recognised
as being ahead of the game, with a lot of talent and
enthusiasm in what we are trying to do. One of the
biggest advantages here is that we are an Island and
have a strong sense of ownership and what we want to
deliver. It is a difficult challenge, but I am confident we
can make the best of it.”
There are sacrifices, with GPs on the executive no
longer able to work at their particular practice as often
as before. However, assurances have been given that
patients will still be seen on time – albeit by perhaps a
different GP to the one they may usually see.
Dr Rivers added: “We are working our way through
this at a pace we can manage. There are areas where
a lot of work has already been done and things are
working very efficiently, but there are other areas that
are not. This is the first stage of a never-ending cycle of
improvement and review of the health service.”
Website for further information: www.iow.nhs.uk/ccg

Dr A Sattar

M.Clin.Dent., P.D.D., BChD., B.Pharm.

01983

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