York Health Group Services

DVT

York Health Group (YHG) has pioneered, locally, the use of a simple blood test to exclude the possiblilty of Deep Vein Thrombosis in patients presenting with a swollen leg.  The test can be performed by a doctor or nurse in only 10 minutes.  A negative result means that the patient is saved from having to go to hospital for more invasive tests.  In the last year the introduction of this test has halved the number of patients going to hospital to be checked for a DVT.  This has been a significant benefit to patients and also meant that the hospital can re-focus its efforts on other more difficult cases.

For further information click here: DVT Documents

COPD

During the winter period YHG commissioned a COPD scheme with all Member Practices to improve the health of patients with this long term condition and also awareness of treatment options. The results of this service are being evaluated by York Health Economics Consortium.

For further information click here: COPD Documents

Telehealth

Telehealth is the way of delivering tailored care for patients, with certain long term conditions, in their own homes. The aim being to improve patients' quality of life, maintain independence and prevent avoidable hospital admissions.

A medical monitor is placed in a patient's home and following simple instructions he/she take their own readings for their blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, weight and blood glucose.  These readings are then sent down a telephone line into a patient record where clinical staff are able to view the details and manage the patient's condition in a more pro-active way.  This information is also automatically sent to a monitoring centre, where any problems or abnormalities in a patient's condition can be identified at an early stage.  The monitoring centre is able to contact the clinical teams as soon as an alert is picked up and a response is put in place.  This response could be as a simple as a telephone call or may necessitate a home visit from a clinician.

York Health Group has been working with NHS North Yorkshire and York on implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of this new way of working with patients. 

Dermatology

YHG has commissioned Community Dermatology services via Ebor Medical Services Ltd since 2008.  Initially a Dermatology triage service ensured that referrals were being made appropriately for hospital care before a full Community Dermatology service commenced in April 2009.  Patients are seen closer to home in one of two community sites where they receive high quality care including a Consultant Dermatologist review by York consultants if required.  The service achieves high levels of patient satisfaction and shorter waiting times consistently with delivery of high quality care.

YHG is currently working on developing an enhanced Community based service (see Projects section).

Toenail Cutting Service

A 12 month pilot and evaluation of a toenail cutting service, jointly commissioned by York Health Group and City of York Council and undertaken by Age Concern York. It is specifically targeted at older people.  The service will provide both community based sessions and home visits.

This is essentially a low level prevention service that will also address an obvious social need as indicated by a recent older people's survey.  Those people identified as having a clinical need (e.g. diabetes) will continue to be referred on to NHS North Yorkshire & York's Podiatry Service.

To date uptake of the service has been fairly slow, with the service receiving 166 enquiries during its first six months.

Anyone wishing for any further information about the service, please contact Sally Hutchinson, Age Concern York, (sally@ageconcernyork.org.uk).

First Call 50+ Signposting Service

York Health Group worked with City of York Council and Age Concern York to set this service up and it was launched in April 2009. 

It provides a single point of contact putting older people in touch with the services they need to remain safe and independent at home.  On contact with the service, advisors are able to discuss the individual needs of callers and offer information and advice on the services that are available to them.

As at June 2010 the service had dealt with almost 1,000 requests for advice or information ranging from how to find a reliable tradesman, advice on money information on local health services, voluntary groups and social activities to diet and exercise and local transport options.  Home visits are also offered for those who find it difficult to communicate their needs over the telephone.

Eye-Care Service

YHG commissioned a Community based Eye-Care Service.  This service enables GPs to refer patients with certain eye problems to an appropriately trained Optometrist.  Across the YHG area there are several Optometrists involved in the scheme spread all the way from York city centre to Easingwold.  This means that patients with minor eye problems can have their problem assessed and treated in a place of their own choosing at a time that is convenient to them and it avoids the need for them to be referred to the hospital.  

Appropriate clinical support has been provided by one of the hospital Consultants and if a patient does ultimately need to be referred on to the hospital then this is arranged for them.  This service achieves high levels of patient satisfaction and has freed up time in the York Ophthalmology clinics so patients with more significant eye problems can be seen there. 

YHG is currently working on developing an enhanced Community service (see Projects section) which can be replicated throughout North Yorkshire.