New Rheumatology Service Gets Local Approval
June 21, 2010
Local people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have helped shape the delivery of their local NHS services by working alongside NHS Telford and Wrekin in a review of local services and the selection of a service provider for the next three years. The new, three year, £1.2milllion contract has been awarded to a consortium involving NHS Telford and Wrekin Community Health Services and its partners, Shropdoc and Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital, to provide community based rheumatology services across the borough.
Local patient representatives were heavily involved in making the decision about who should provide their local NHS services. Lyn Rozier, who is the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) coordinator for two local Rheumatoid Arthritis groups, has had RA for 16 years. She said: “The development of a community based Rheumatology service is exciting and we are all looking forward to patients having access to the type of treatment new guidance on Rheumatoid Arthritis suggests is best.”
Approximately 400,000 adults across the UK are affected by rheumatology related conditions, which can cause joints to become tender, stiff and swollen and in severe cases can lead to joint damage and disability.
Fran Beck, Managing Director of NHS Community Services said: “There are significant developments taking place in the care of people with rheumatological conditions. Patients and staff have worked together to develop excellent information to support the latest treatments.”
The two local Rheumatoid Arthritis groups meet on a monthly basis to share ideas and experiences and for people to discuss positive ways to live with their condition. The groups, which meet at Newport and Stirchley, welcome anyone affected by rheumatological conditions or their carers to join in. For further information contact Lyn Rozier on
07817 898760
07817 898760.
Notes to editors:
NHS Telford and Wrekin is the everyday name for Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust (PCT).
The PCT is responsible for purchasing health services for 168,000 people who live in the Telford and Wrekin borough.
The PCT was established in 2002 and has a budget for 2009/10 of £254 million.
Its responsibilities include managing contracts with the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital trust, local doctors, dentists, pharmacists and opticians.
In addition, the PCT provides a range of community-based services including health visiting, district nursing, intermediate care and Adult Learning Disability (ALD) nursing.
Contact
For further information contact:
Pam Schreier
Communications Manager
NHS Telford and Wrekin
Tel: 01952 580470 / 01952 580470
Mob: 07766 160293 / 07766 160293