Liam Richardson’s Post

Recent data revealed a significant increase, with the English referral-to-treatment list expanding by 31,000 pathways in May, totaling 7.60 million. The rise in over 65-week waiters to 56,000 underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions. At The Medical and Diagnostic Care Group , we are committed to innovative approaches and tailoring our services to meet the unique needs of each Trust. Our goal is to help reduce these waiting times and support the NHS England in delivering timely care to patients. With a new government pledge to reduce typical RTT waiting times to 18 weeks by 2029, our collaborative efforts are more critical than ever. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that patients receive the care they need when they need it. #Healthcare #NHS #Innovation #PatientCare #MDCG #HealthcareLeadership #Insource #NHSWithoutWaitingLists

HSJ has reported that the #CQC has admitted it is failing to keep patients “safe” and is losing the confidence of ministers and the NHS. The statement by CQC seen by HSJ adds: “The way we work is not working and we are not consistently keeping people who use services safe. This is shocking to read but sadly will come as no surprise to most of my connections. But what will be done about it? The ministerial review, launched under the Cabinet Office public bodies review programme, to examine the effectiveness of the CQC's new single assessment framework is due to report to a new government when it completes in the autumn. Will this, combined with the new leadership under whoever is to be Ian Trenholm's successor bring about real and sustained change? Any Provider in this same situation would be expected to make dramatic change to its governance and operational effectiveness or it would be cancelled!- why should CQC be any different. https://lnkd.in/ef3EWRYE Ridouts - now part of HCR Law HCR Health & Social Care National Care Association

This is sensible. A strategic review of Defence and similar for the NHS, before any major policy and funding changes are made. Having worked in both sectors recently, it's clear they share some challenges (staff morale, retention, financing increasingly better technologies, as well as basic digitisation and better use of data) but there is some great work underway. However, some areas could be rethought after some reflection with those involved in delivering and experiencing these two major, critical public services. I hope the NHS review also covers some aspects of Social Care and leads into the creation of the new National Care Service, the NHS and SC cannot be decoupled! Key will be involving patients in the NHS review and looking internationally at how others cope with similar challenges. All healthcare systems are different but good practice can be imported, adapted and reshaped for the UK! https://lnkd.in/dT6X9wRa

“We shouldn’t be in a position where trusts are having to cut back on clinical posts that are going to be needed to speed up waiting times.”, the new health secretary, Wes Streeting, told the Health Service Journal. Trusts have to cut costs, and staff are around two-thirds of NHS expenditure, so what else can they do? The answer is wrapped up in this year’s big word for NHS finances: productivity. Chasing appointments for long waiters, hunting for beds, correcting RTT data before submission, chasing tests and TTO drugs, preparing for performance reviews, checking a cohort before sending out a text message... these are all symptoms of a system that knows what to do, but experiences constant, exhausting friction when trying to do it. The solution? Join up the data, and automate processes where possible. This is the dull, patient work of improving elective pathways so that clinicians’ time is not wasted and patients are not called into hospital unnecessarily. If that sounds like your kind of approach, then we would love to talk. We can set initial priorities for a short scoping study, and a roadmap for what comes next. Then if you want to go ahead, we can start work. It’ll be a journey, but you will see the results every step of the way. https://lnkd.in/ejP99zNN Nadine Carey-Whitehead Graham Bennett Rob Davenport Tim Eltze Karen Hyde Greg Stevens Paige Elizabeth Hyde Adrian Owen Rachel Lane Donna Smith https://lnkd.in/dcZDkTqW

As we navigate a pivotal moment in the NHS, the call for rapid reform has never been more urgent. Sir John Oldham recently outlined seven key principles for driving this transformation, from patient-centric care and empowering frontline staff to embracing digital technology and enhancing community and primary care services. His insights highlight the need for swift action to address rising demand and improve patient outcomes, particularly for those with complex needs who consume a significant portion of healthcare resources. At The Medical and Diagnostic Care Group , we are committed to supporting the NHS England through this critical transition, leveraging our extensive decade of experience. As an insourcing company, we tailor our services to the unique needs of each NHS Trust, ensuring we provide the right solutions at the right time. Whether it's enhancing primary care, adopting digital innovations, or managing complex patient cases, our mission is to help Trusts achieve sustainable and impactful changes. As Director of Nursing, I'm proud to be part of a team committed to delivering high-quality care and working closely with Trusts to support their journey toward a stronger and more resilient NHS. If your Trust is facing challenges in reducing waiting lists or improving efficiency, please get in touch. We're here to help you achieve your goals. Let’s make this change together. #NHS #HealthcareReform #PatientCare #MDCG #InnovationInHealthcare #CommunityCare #DigitalHealth #Efficiency #NHSWithoutWaitingLists

I read the following article with interest. As a passionate advocate for the NHS, I've always believed that we can do better with our resources. A few years ago, I took the step of implementing efficiency measures into the world of Additional Activity Sessions (AAS). Premium-rate clinical sessions had become the go-to solution for tackling waiting lists. I decided we needed to be the spoke in the wheel - not to derail the train, but to ensure it ran on a more economical track. With the introduction of an accountability framework, we placed a series of efficiency metrics that would justify the need for these premium-rate sessions. It wasn't about cutting corners; it was about making every minute and every pound count. We focused on Theatre utilisation: Are we making the most of our valuable operating room time? OPD slot usage: Are outpatient appointments being used effectively? Start time adherence: Are we respecting everyone's time by starting on schedule? WHO checklist compliance: Are we maintaining the highest safety standards? This change was not met with universal applause. It generated significant resistance - the status quo is a comfortable place, and the accountability framework disrupted that comfort. It was however a chance for dialogue and an opportunity for stretched service managers to engage their clinical teams in quality data-driven discussions. We should be rewarding efficiency, not inefficiency. It's not about punishing those who fall short, but about creating a culture where efficiency is celebrated and emulated.

Trust between patients and their GP is central to Primary Care. But what happens when patients return repeatedly for the same issue without resolution? One insightful conversation between Raj Kanwar and Dr Valeed Ghafoor at a recent conference brought this challenge to light. “If a patient consults a GP practice multiple times for the same problem, they start to lose faith. They may think you don’t know what you’re doing, disengage, or worse, their underlying issue gets missed. Often, this leads to specialist referrals, increasing waiting times and taking them away from their familiar family doctor”. We offer innovative services that reduce these delays and ensure patients receive care that reflects positively on their journey. General Practice Specialists Ltd proactively addresses patient needs with thoughtful, efficient solutions that help to: Reduce waiting times for referrals. Strengthens the doctor-patient relationship. Enhancing the patient experience and journey. As a GP led service, we support practices in delivering this kind of care. From streamlining workflows to providing remote GP services, we help you focus on what matters most: your patients. Ready to take your practice from strength to strength? Let’s talk! https://lnkd.in/g_z5ai49 #NHS #GP #PrimaryCare #PCN #Healthcare #Clinical #Pharmacy #PatientCare

Missed our recent webinar in partnership with ACDIS on Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) in Healthcare? We've got you covered! Listen to industry experts Aimee Van Balen from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Lena N Wilson, MHI, RHIA, CCS, CCDS from Indiana University Health, Kristine Green from Northwestern Medicine, and Deborah Jones, MSN, RN from Tendo as they dive deep into the pivotal role of CDI in enhancing quality outcomes through documentation accuracy and completeness.  Highlights:  - The necessity of complete and accurate medical records for fair evaluation  - Effective risk adjustment capture  - Adaptability of CDI programs to meet evolving demands Watch the webinar now and learn more about CDI strategies from experts in the field. https://lnkd.in/gKjVBK7s #CDI #Healthcare #ClinicalDocumentation #ACDIS #HealthcareWebinar #RiskAdjustment #HealthTech

Have you heard the latest update on the Pharmacy First consultation thresholds? 💊📢   In a breaking development, the minimum number of Pharmacy First consultations that pharmacies need to complete in August to qualify for the monthly payment has been dropped from 20 to just 15. 🔄💬   This move by the Department of Health and Social Care comes after intense discussions with the negotiator Community Pharmacy England (CPE), who raised concerns about the previously planned threshold increase. 🤝📈   With many pharmacies struggling to hit the targets in April, this adjustment provides some much-needed relief. However, the threshold is set to rise again to 30 consultations per month from October onwards. 📅🔝   Stay ahead of the curve by attending PharmacyForum—an essential event to connect with industry leaders, discuss challenges, and explore market developments like these. Don't miss out on this opportunity! 🚀🔗   https://lnkd.in/eWHcUg37   #PharmacyFirst #Healthcare #PharmacyUpdate #PharmacyForum #CommunityPharmacy #HealthNews #PharmacyProfessionals #IndustryNews #PharmacyConsultations

I know I haven’t posted in a while, but I’ve been immersed in my ACP course, tackling exams, assignments, and also diving into football scouting among other work commitments. I'll be sharing more about these experiences in the future. Recently, however, I encountered a patient case that truly demonsrates the importance of effective communication in healthcare. I encountered a patient with hypertension who had been prescribed multiple antihypertensive medications over the past year. Despite these efforts, their blood pressure remained uncontrolled. When I asked a straightforward question—do you take your medications as prescribed?—the patient calmly admitted they did not. They explained that each time their medication regimen was adjusted, they chose not to take it because they didn't believe they needed it. They also felt healthcare providers were more focused on prescribing medications quickly than understanding their needs. This experience highlighted an important lesson: sometimes, the simplest questions provide the most critical answers. Medication compliance is vital not only for patient outcomes but also for healthcare system efficiency, potentially saving the NHS significant resources. This case reinforced the value of effective patient communication and understanding in achieving better health outcomes. Let's continue to prioritise patient-centered care and address these fundamental aspects in our clinical practices. #ClinicalPharmacy #PatientCare #MedicationAdherence #NHS #Pharmacist #Primarycarenetworks #ACP