Contact Innovation helps to cut cardiology waiting times
Innovation helps to cut cardiology waiting times
Cardiology teams at East Kent Hospitals have slashed waiting times by training staff to perform a vital procedure previously only undertaken by doctors.
Cardiac physiologists and a senior nurse manager are now able to implant a tiny device under local anaesthetic. It measures heart activity and helps identify conditions that need treatment.
The matchstick-sized device, known as an insertable cardiac monitor, was previously put in by doctors in the cardiac catheter lab; a specialised operating theatre.
But thanks to the training, the two-minute procedure can now take place on the day ward with one of the highly-trained staff.
Niky Bradford, manager of the cardiac catheter suite at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, said it was an exciting development for staff and patients.
She said: “It’s fantastic news for our patients, as it really speeds up their diagnosis. The device is monitored remotely, meaning we can rapidly identify the problem and start treatment much faster.
“It also frees up resources, and allows doctors to focus on more complex cases.
“We are looking at expanding the service further by training additional staff, so that more patients can benefit from this new approach.”
Niky, who recently implanted her 100th device, works with cardiac physiologist Craig Huckstepp at the QEQM, while physiologists Iain Thorp and Adam Marzetti perform the procedure at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
She said: “It is exactly the same procedure as the doctors would have done so it is a great service for our patients.
“It means we have been able to get the waiting list down from months to weeks. It’s a really quick procedure to implant the device under the skin but it’s vital in identifying the cause of conditions such as blackouts.”
Lead consultant cardiologist Dr James Rosengarten said it was part of the Trust’s strategy to invest in staff and create roles that harnessed people’s individual talents and strengths.
He said: “It is just one of the ways we are using technology to help our teams innovate and develop extended roles.
“The staff have the skills and the autonomy to carry out this procedure and there are benefits all round.
“It has led to shorter waiting times not only for people waiting to have this device implanted but those waiting for other procedures, as our doctors’ time is now freed up to see those patients more quickly.
“We couldn’t run our department without people like Niky, Craig, Iain, and Adam and it makes sense to give them the scope to develop and grow their roles for the benefit of all our patients.
“Cardiology offers such fantastic opportunities for all our staff to get involved in interesting work. We are always on the look-out for fresh talent to join us.”
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Leisure Centres receive a much-needed cash boost as they prepare to re-open
Dover District Leisure Centre and Tides Leisure Centre in Deal have both received much-needed financial support from the Government’s £100m National Leisure Recovery Fund, following a successful bid by Dover District Council.
Both leisure centres will fully reopen on Monday 12 April (adhering to Covid-19 guidelines) if stage two of the Government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown goes ahead as planned.
The fund is designed to support publicly owned leisure facilities to reopen to the public and give the sector the best chance of recovery in the medium to long term. It is administered by Sport England.
DDC has received £278k to be split between the two centres with a further sum of £1,500 being given for monitoring and evaluation.
Gyms and leisure centres play a vital role in helping people to be active and will be crucial in our nation’s recovery from coronavirus as well as offering wider health, wellbeing and community benefits.
The core objectives of the National Leisure Recovery Fund are to:
Support the reopening of public sector leisure facilities and activities
Provide the best chance of recovery to a position of sustainable operation over the medium to long term.
Sustain the delivery of activities (such as swimming) that aren’t widely accessible in the private market.
Enhance health and wellbeing and support physical activity across England – contributing to the government’s objectives around healthy lifestyles, reducing obesity and reducing inequality.
Roger Walton, DDC’s Strategic Director (Operations and Commercial) said: “We are extremely pleased to receive this money to help support our leisure centres, following a successful bid. Centre staff are very much looking forward to reopening, and welcoming the district’s residents back through their doors to enjoy the fitness activities on offer when it is safe to do so”.
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£191,456 funding boost to help Thanet’s high streets reopen
Thanet District Council will receive £191,456 funding boost to help local high streets reopen and attract shoppers and tourists.
Conservative Government investing a total of £56 million through the Welcome Back Fund to help councils prepare for the end of lockdown when it is safe to do so.
This is part of a wider package of measures to revitalise high streets and level up communities – including steps to make it easier for eateries to serve customers outdoors and set up market stalls this Summer.
Improvements can be made to local high streets across Thanet to help them safely and successfully open after lockdown thanks to Government funding boost.
A total of £56 million will be invested through the new Welcome Back Fund to help councils across England boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups – giving people more, safer options to reunite with friends and relatives this Summer.
Conservative MP for South Thanet, Craig Mackinlay MP said he was delighted Thanet District Council is getting a £191,456 funding boost and looks forward to seeing how the money will be spent to help attract people back to the high streets post-lockdown.
Councils can use the funding to hold street markets and festivals, boost the look and feel of their high streets, with more seating areas and street planting or less graffiti, and install new signage to help keep people safe as restrictions are lifted.
Additional funding has been made available to support coastal areas like Thanet, so coastal resorts across England can safely welcome holiday makers in the coming months.
This is part of a package announced by the Conservative Government to attract people back to high streets safely this Summer, including:
Making it easier for hospitality businesses to operate as takeaways and host markets and stalls.
Enabling businesses like pubs and restaurants to use their land more flexibly, for example by setting up a marquee or creating new outside space, for the whole summer, so they can serve more customers and recover from the effects of the pandemic.
Extending pavement licenses for another 12 months, so venues can continue serving customers ‘al fresco’ for longer without red tape.
Tackling Cowboy private parking firms whose rogue practices can keep visitors away from town.
Thanet District Council is also one of seventy councils across England that will benefit from additional hands on support through the new High Streets Taskforce, a group of elite high streets experts who will visit the area to provide advice on how to make changes to ensure high streets across Thanet adapt to changing consumer demands and thrive in the years ahead.
The Conservative Government has provided billions of investment through the £3.6 billion Towns Fund and £1 billion Future High Streets Fund to regenerate town centres and spruce up high streets, and recently announced a new £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund which will give every council in the UK access to up to £20 million to make their area a more attractive place to visit.
It has also supported high street businesses throughout the pandemic with targeted tax cuts, business rates relief and grants as part of an economic package worth £407 billion this year and next; enabled eateries and pubs to keep serving customers as takeaways during lockdown, and is making it easier for disused buildings in town centres to be repurposed to end the scourge of ugly buildings that drive away footfall.
Craig Mackinlay MP said:
“I know how difficult it has been for businesses on our high streets over the last year, and I am determined to secure them all the help they need to recover.
“That is why I am delighted that Thanet will receive £191,456 as part of the Conservative Government’s new Welcome Back Fund, which will help our high streets and beaches to reopen safely and successfully this Summer as restrictions lift.
“This will ensure that our towns have the support they need as we move into recovery, and build back better from the pandemic.”
Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP added:
“As we move to the next stage on the roadmap out of lockdown we are all looking forward to being reunited with friends and family outdoors and making a safe and happy return to our favourite shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
“Our Welcome Back Fund gives every city, town and high street support to prepare for a great summer. This funding will help councils and businesses to welcome shoppers, diners and tourists back safely.
“As soon as the roadmap allows, we need to get behind our local businesses and enjoy all that this country has to offer and that we’ve been missing so much.
“I’m allowing every pub in the country to erect a marquee in their garden for the whole summer as a one-off power to support our locals.”
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