Since opening its doors 6 months ago, staff working in the new Outpatient and Community Diagnostic Centre at St Mary’s Hospital have delivered almost 55,000 appointments and tests to support improved diagnostic care for Islanders – that’s 420 patients a day.
The purpose-built centre has seen the introduction of several new pathways and services to benefit our island community including DEXA bone density scanning, a Children and Young People’s (CYP) Asthma pathway, HRT bleeding and Community Cardiology pathways.
The Children and Young People’s Asthma pathway, the only CYP pathway to be delivered within a diagnostic centre in the HIOW region, now means GPs can refer young people with suspected asthma straight to a diagnostic test, without having to wait for a consultation appointment. This means quicker diagnosis and helps to ensure young patients are given the right treatment, first time.
In 6 months, staff at the new centre have delivered 14,827 X-Rays, 853 echocardiograms, 4,142 ultrasounds, 8,168 fracture appointments and a further 18,289 diagnostic tests. The Phlebotomy Team have also carried out 20,899 blood tests.
Gill, a sonographer who has worked at the trust for 6 years said:
“This fantastic new environment has made a massive difference to us as staff as it has given our patients that extra confidence that they are receiving the very best diagnostic care.”
As well as the introducing new pathways and services, the centre has seen an investment of £2.2million into state-of-the art equipment and further investment into the trust’s workforce, that includes 20 training posts to upskill staff.
Chief Operating Officer, Vicky Lauchlan, Isle of Wight NHS Trust said:
“Our trust’s new outpatients and community diagnostic complex has helped us significantly improve the way we provide diagnostic care to our island community. We can provide even better care to patients helping them to get a quicker diagnosis and lead healthier lives.”
Patient and visitor feedback has also been positive, with many commenting on feeling welcomed and supported by staff as well as the new modern environment.
Rowan 12 from Carisbrooke who was joined by mum Marianne for his Spirometry Test to check his lung capacity as part of his ongoing asthma care said:
“Rowan’s appointment went well, the centre is really spacious and feels so nice and modern.”
Roger, 82 from Cowes also echoed Rowan and Marianne’s thoughts. Having suffered from sleep apnoea symptoms for years was visiting the centre to be fitted with a monitor, following a referral from his respiratory consultant as part of an ongoing treatment plan. Roger said:
“We think the new space is brilliant, and all the staff are really friendly and helpful.”
Speak English using the right terms or specify exactly for instance, what is a “pathway”?
All sounds good, are there any figures to compare with the previous clinics performance?
Let’s hope it not a case of all the gear but no idea.
St Mary’s would be more truthful if they posted how long the waiting list is for CT scans and Echocardiograms.
I was referred on by my GP 10 weeks ago and still no appointment for either. Meanwhile I am in pain and no treatment as no diagnosis.
Last time I called the diagnostic centre to enquire about my appointments the phone is constantly engaged at all times of the day.
Go back to your GP- you should have received on offer of appointment within 4 weeks following ANY GP referral to the hospital/consultant.
I contacted my GP at the 4 week stage an told him that St Marys had said it could be be 10 weeks or more and his reply was “Ohhh, well we’ll hang on then”…
i thought I was doing well but actually getting to see a GP in the first place, but as was feared it is all amounting to nothing and I’m sure they just hope you (I) just give up or die in the processs.
Since the pandemic the NHS is useless.
All that clapping for nothing.
Is that not a large part of the problem? Having qualified staff available is the headache the NHS fights daily because the Conservatives defunded the system, especially the training of doctor and nurses making shortages much worse. Reversing that costs money and until the taxpayer gets their head around the need to pay we will never reach a satisfactory outcome. Clapping achieved nothing – it was a political stunt.
I am all for anything that speeds up the delays within the NHS, primarily caused by the NHS. Where my brother lives the hospital casualty has a GP on duty 24/7, you see an experienced sister at reception when booking in who decides your treatment PATHWAY, as a result they have complied with their 4 hour waiting targets for the last 18 months.
Is the healthcare where your brother lives not also NHS?