Care UK s diagnostic centre and musculoskeletal service lead the way in cutting waiting times for NHS patients

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1 Buckinghamshire people have been enjoying convenient access to treatment, high clinical standards and short waiting times thanks to a great partnership between Care UK and local health commissioners. The Care UK-run Mid and South Buckinghamshire NHS Diagnostic Centre and NHS Buckinghamshire Musculoskeletal Integrated Care service (MusIC) together offer diagnostic tests, investigative procedures and care for a variety of bone and muscle conditions at state-ofthe-art health facilities throughout the region. Both services receive excellent feedback from patients who are impressed with the dedicated teams of clinicians and administrators that take pride in providing a first-class patient experience, whilst health commissioners have praised the efficient operational procedures which have helped to slash waiting times in the region for certain tests and treatments. The main base for the Mid and South Buckinghamshire NHS Diagnostic Centre and NHS Buckinghamshire MusIC is located on Cressex Business Park in High Wycombe, where the services can be found in the same building. Patients regularly comment how convenient this location is and appreciate the excellent free car parking facilities. State-of-the-art facilities at Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe. Collaborative working brings benefits to commissioners and patients. Dedicated clinicians provide an impressive patient experience.

2 Care UK s diagnostic centre and Michelle Saunders, the Care UK manager responsible for running the diagnostic and musculoskeletal services explains what her teams focus on clinical effectiveness means for patients. She said: The diagnostic and musculoskeletal services each have their own specialist teams, but they work collaboratively to ensure the patient pathway is as straightforward as possible. This integration results in benefits for both patients and NHS commissioners. Our efficient use of resources mean budgets can go further, while joined up thinking between colleagues has contributed to patients commenting how impressed they are with their experience here. In High Wycombe, diagnostic and musculoskeletal services are based in the same building. I know of patients who visited the musculoskeletal service for treatment, were referred for scans with the diagnostic team and received their scans on the same day. Our clinicians have then reviewed results while the patients waited and later that day discussed with them how their conditions will be managed. We can sometimes achieve in one visit what can take two or three separate appointments at other services. Michelle Saunders, service manager.

3 Providing diagnostic services in communities throughout Buckinghamshire The team at Mid and South Buckinghamshire NHS Diagnostic Centre helps people to get quick answers to what might be causing their pain by providing echocardiograms, MRI, ultrasound and x-ray scans. Brookside Clinic Cressex Business Park Chalfonts & Gerrards Cross What s great for patients is that these new locations mean shorter journeys to appointments that we can sometimes book for the next day. The service was expanded in February 2013 after a consultation revealed that while the base in High Wycombe enjoys high levels of patient satisfaction, the ability to choose a location nearer to home or work would make fitting in an essential appointment much easier. Now, the people who are referred to Mid and South Buckinghamshire NHS Diagnostic Centre can choose to have their ultrasound scans at the Brookside Clinic in Aylesbury and Chalfont & Gerrards Cross Community. Michelle said: We re very proud of the work we ve done to reduce the number of patients not keeping their MRI appointments in High Wycombe. Over a six month period we halved the number of missed appointments due to patients suffering with claustrophobia and saved money for the NHS in the process. NHS patients have a choice of clinics across Buckinghamshire. The diagnostic team has halved the number of missed appointments due to patients suffering with claustrophobia.

4 Buckingham Community Thame Community Marlow Health Centre Burnham Medical Centre Brookside Clinic Chesham Leisure Centre Cressex Park Chalfonts & Gerrards Cross Helping people to recover quicker and continue enjoying the things they love NHS Buckinghamshire MusIC operates from eight health centres and hospitals across the county, providing assessment and treatment services for patients with conditions affecting the joints, muscles, ligaments and nerves. It aims to see people within two weeks of receiving a GP referral and can assess, treat and agree a management plan in a single visit. The clinics in Aylesbury, Buckingham, Burnham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chesham, High Wycombe, Marlow and Thame offer acupuncture, women s health, musculoskeletal and physiotherapy treatments with the group physiotherapy programme at five of these locations proving very popular with patients. Care UK offers musculoskeletal services at eight health centres in the county. Jacqui Barker, lead physiotherapist.

5 In two years the programme which is led by Jacqui Barker, a physiotherapist with nearly 30 years experience diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions helped to rehabilitate 4,000 local people suffering from back, shoulder and knee pain. Jacqui s responsible for co-ordinating physiotherapy services and her team works hard to rehabilitate painful conditions and prevent the need for painkillers or even surgery in years to come. Jacqui said: Group physiotherapy is a cost-effective method of treating NHS patients and many people attending the classes comment how they ve helped them focus on completing their individual rehabilitation plan which can sometimes be difficult at home without extra guidance. I spend the majority of my time as a musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapist, but my job also involves managing the physiotherapy team, triaging patients and ensuring we meet strict clinical governance regulations. I ve been a physiotherapist for many years and love making a positive difference to my patients lives. In High Wycombe, NHS patients have access to a fully-equipped gymnasium. Lead physiotherapist Jacqui Barker offering guidance on how to use equipment in the gymnasium. NHS patients are guided through a variety of exercises which help with recovery.

6 Tim Graves from High Wycombe took part in a six-week physiotherapy programme at NHS Buckinghamshire MusIC and is full of praise for the classes led by Jacqui. He said: I suffer from a lack of balance and reduced mobility in my lower back, right thigh and knee, which can make getting around painful. The difference the group classes made to my recovery was very noticeable. I went once a week but would have happily attended more sessions because I m convinced they re the most effective way of getting people to properly follow their rehabilitation plan. The variety was great and we performed exercises I wouldn t have tried at home. Having a consistent schedule to stick to definitely helped to keep me motivated and meant I could properly plan the session into my day. There was a really friendly atmosphere in each class and the advice given by the physiotherapist was excellent. Michelle said: I m very proud of the teams at both services and their commitment to providing high quality healthcare is reflected in our patient satisfaction scores 100 percent of patients rate our services as satisfactory or above. The Mid and South Buckinghamshire NHS Diagnostic Centre and NHS Buckinghamshire MusIC provide diagnostic tests, investigative procedures, musculoskeletal and physiotherapy treatment. Visit bucksdiagnosticcentre. nhs.uk or buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk Patients praise the friendly atmosphere in the group physiotherapy classes. Jacqui Barker demonstrating exercises to patients Myrna Symmons and Barbara Baker. The services receive excellent feedback from patients.