VIEWPOINT FOR 5 JUNE 2008
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

I have recently had another meeting with John Rostill, Chief Executive of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust. 
I am pleased to report that there are welcome signs of improvement across the Trust. 

The results of an independent patient satisfaction survey were good; hospital acquired infection rates are falling and well within the Trust's aims for improvement and waiting times in A&E are satisfactory. The Trust is now able to apply for Foundation Status. The time for us all to understand the implications of this will come when the application is accepted and it goes to public consultation. My feeling now is that Foundation Status can only be good for us as it gives the Trust some independence from central control and, in theory, makes it more responsive to local people and local decision making.

The impression of improvement across the Acute Trust is so far borne out personally as I have not received any serious complaints about quality issues for several weeks now.

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At Kidderminster Hospital the orthopaedic, independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) is doing well. 
I visited the unit last week and was impressed with their organisation and efficiency and particularly with their pride in retaining the Kidderminster ethos for sympathetic, high quality care delivered by all staff members who really put the patients first. In the past 12 months the unit has operated on over 1800 patients including performing 300 joint replacements with average lengths of stay as good as anywhere in the country. All joint replacement operations have been entered on the National Joint Register from the start of the service and so the criticism of some ISTCs, that their results are not nationally available, does not apply here. 
I also found it reassuring that the ISTC has guidelines for the prevention of blood clots in patients undergoing surgery that are enforced as a routine. Assessments for the risks of thrombosis in patients admitted to hospital should become mandatory and, according to the Health Service Journal last week, less than half of NHS hospitals are carrying out these vital assessments as a routine yet.

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I understand that the trial (period) of the doctor in the minor injuries unit is going well and appreciated by patients and staff and that the controversial appointments system for the phlebotomy clinic has been shelved at least for the time being.

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I met the General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing this week and I was pleased to hear that the loss of emphasis on basic nursing skills, necessary for the quality care of patients, due to the academic nature of current nurse training is now recognised and being addressed.

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I receive letters from time to time about age discrimination asking what the Government is doing to address this. I have just written to the Prime Minister to inquire. To my surprise I have discovered a disadvantage of age equality. If one is an elderly member of a professional organisation that waived its registration fee upon retirement, this is now illegal as it is a form of age discrimination even though it is of benefit to the elderly! Can you believe it?

R.T.

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