The Future’s Bright for Greater Manchester NHS

Date published: 03/04/2006

The NHS in Greater Manchester is one of the best performing regional health services in England, according to end of year figures released by the strategic health authority.

“Greater Manchester is the best performing health care region in terms of financial management and if you couple this with the fact that we were recognised as the most improved in last year’s star ratings, I think this is a great testament to the hard work being done by health care staff” said Dr Neil Goodwin, SHA chief executive.

Waiting times for treatment have been slashed, with no one waiting more than six months for an in-patient appointment, compared to 15,818 in March 2002 and no one having to wait for more than 13 weeks for an out-patient appointment, compared to 11,548 in March 2002.

Waiting times for treatment for cancer have also been coming down; in 99% of cases, the 31 day target has been met and this is above the national average of 97%.

Coupled with this, progress is being made on the biggest killers, with deaths from cancer and heart disease falling year on year. The Greater Manchester primary care trusts have also united to form a joint board to address health inequalities.

One of the reasons for this success is the fact that Greater Manchester NHS organisations have shown leadership, been innovative and ready to adapt to new ways of working that are making a big difference to health care. 

They were the first to pioneer ‘Tier 2’ services as an alternative to referring patients to hospital, with 59,802 people being treated through this route.  And the early introduction of referral booking management services has helped to streamline and speed up referrals from GPs for further treatment and has put Greater Manchester organisations in a strong position to implement Choose and Book.

“We opened the Greater Manchester Surgical Centre in May last year, in response to the need to address waiting lists for people waiting for treatment for hip and knee replacements and other treatment,” said Dr Goodwin. 

“This is a partnership venture between us, Trafford General Hospital and the South African company Netcare. To date, 3,583 patients have been treated and the feedback we have had from patients has been excellent.”

There are still some big issues to tackle.  Death rates from cancer and heart disease are still too high and mental health services are still a concern.  However in the last six months, major investment has been announced for cardiac services, mental health services for women and a strategy for the future of cancer services has been outlined.

A Regional Therapeutically Enhanced Medium Secure Service (TEMSS) for women is just one part of developments that are underway at the Prestwich site of Bolton Salford and Trafford Mental Health Trust. 

The TEMSS service provides patients with high levels of therapy and staffing as part of their rehabilitation. Previously, some women who needed the specialist treatment and care offered in medium secure units had to be placed within high security units that were unable to meet their needs. 

In total £6.93 million is being invested to develop medium secure facilities for women at the Prestwich site.  This improved facility will be better for patients and provide six extra beds within the TEMSS unit. 

Facilities for cardiac patients have also attracted extra funding as part of the Cardiac Strategy developed by the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cardiac Network. 

Wythenshawe Hospital, part of South Manchester University Hospitals, already provides specialist cardiac services for the region. 

Now £15.998 million is being invested to develop facilities for patients, including 16 extra beds, the re-design of the intensive care area with four extra beds, an improved non-invasive cardiology unit and out-patient facilities and the development of an electrophysiology (EP) lab.

“We need to ensure that health care services are the best available for patients and value-for-money for the taxpayer” said Dr Goodwin.  “With this in mind, the PCTs have recently launched three consultations:

• Best for Health covering maternity and paediatric services across the conurbation and in neighbouring areas

• Change in Mind on mental health services in Manchester

• Healthy Future about health services provided at the four hospitals in the north east of the conurbation.” 

In the future there are plans to consult with the public on future of services in Trafford and on cancer services.

Local hospitals and PCTs have also made real progress with recruiting staff.  Vacancies fell from 1,070 in 2003, to the present level of 680. 

There are now 194 more junior doctors than in September 2002 as a result of the successful introduction of the New Deal programme and the adoption of European Working Time Directive guidance, which have led to a safe reduction in working hours.

The number of qualified nurses went up to 21,180 from 20,670 last year alone.  Greater Manchester has also led the way with the introduction of new roles, such as assistant practitioners, advanced practitioners, emergency care practitioners and cadets.

The NHS is at the start of a programme of further reform, which will see patients receiving treatment within 18 weeks of being referred by their GP, more services provided in the community, closer to people’s homes, patients being offered more choice and GPs holding the budgets for treatment. 

“Much of what we have achieved has come from sound financial management,” said Dr Goodwin. “In 2002, we inherited a forecast deficit of £70 million. We have turned that around so that this year we have a £30 million surplus, money that will carry over to next year to fund unforeseen demands, for example should another new cancer drug come along.

“Greater Manchester is the largest and most complex health economy in the country. It serves almost three million people and has an annual budget of £3.5 billion which means that the NHS spends £10 million a day on health care.

“As the SHA is about to merge with the other two SHAs to form the new North West SHA, I’m proud to say that we leave our part of the region in excellent shape to face the future.”