Four Issues in
Tonight’s DriveTime
·
Hospitals
and Plans
·
Pharmacies
·
Stay
Well
·
GP
Online Systems
1. Hospitals. Good news – future for SACH seems more
positive than at any time in the last four years; there is a high probability that
it will be expanded and re-furbished and that its future is for the provision
of planned care. Bad news it’s
likely to take a while because of the impact of new way of operating called
Sustainability & Transformation Plans (STPs). The area now includes North Herts
and West Essex; and Harlow has real hospital issues too!
The new emphasis will be on keeping people out of
hospital and increasing health & wellbeing in the community.
2. Pharmacies
Up to a third of the 26 pharmacies in the St Albans
District area could close. The issue – Government believes all parts of the
health service are suffering – and pharmacies should suffer too; but the way they are implementing it is wrong –
should incentivise quality!
3. Stay Well
the NHS is running a “Keep
warm, stay well” campaign. Get a flu jab, keep warm
and active, as soon as you start to feel unwell ask for advice from a
local pharmacist, get information about heating bills and home insulation. For
more information visit www.nhs.uk/staywell
4. GP Online
Services
GP practices have online services,
including appointment booking, ordering of repeat prescriptions and access to summary
information in records – giving patients more control over their health and
wellbeing, making services more convenient, personal and
efficient. For more information contact your GP
practice or visit here
And finally – Hemel Urgent Care
now shuts at 10:00pm
And finally finally – very best
wishes for Christmas and the New Year