What our patients are reading

What our patients are reading May/June 2004

bep = Bristol Evening Post and figures indicate the day and month article published

  1. The first phase of the £3 million development of the Charlotte Keel Health Centre in Easton has been completed. This consists of a two-storey block that will provide surgeries for the three GP practices, a new pharmacy and a dental suite and offices for district nurses, health visitors and school nurses. The remainder of the project should be completed by December 2004. bep 14.6

  2. Fishponds Health Centre with its two GP practices and Hampton House (which is to hold the new premises for the University of Bristol GP practice) are both about to have a new buildings and facilities under the Local Improvement in Finance Trust (LIFT) initiative. bep 14.5

  3. Construction of a £60 million 122-bed mental health unit in Brislington (Callington Road) started at the beginning of May. The hospital is being built as a privately funded deal between Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Trust and Ryhurst Barclays Partnership. It should be completed in May 2006. bep 4.5

  4. The first piece of turf was cut for a £15 million hospice for children at Wraxall, south of Bristol at the beginning of May. When complete the facility will provide support for about 200 children a year, in and around Bristol. The money for the hostel will be raised by Babes Big Appeal. bep 3.5

  1. Both of Bristols hospital trusts have announced that they are in the black - despite having incurred nearly £54 million in debt between them last year. UBHT said that it has not overspent its budget for the first time in 5 years.

  2. The North Bristol NHS Trust has been given more than £70 million from the NHS and local health budgets over the last 3 years to help it balance its books.

  3. Much of the savings have come from reducing reliance on agency staff (£21 million) bep 5.5

  4. Health Minister Rosie Winterton, stated that the government could recover some or all of the £50 million loan from the NHS bank to the North Bristol NHS Trust. bep 7.5

  5. The South Gloucestershire Council have decided to oppose plans by the Government to make North Bristol NHS Trust pay back the loans. bep 13.5

  1. Accident and Emergency Centres. A recent survey in South Gloucestershire of 1000 residents stated that 61% did not want to see a reduction in A&E at either Frenchay or Southmead. bep 4.6

  2. The BRI has been chosen as the preferred site for a £52 million purpose built centre for cardiac surgery by the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority. bep 17.5

  3. Bed Blockers. The number of blocked beds in the Bristol area has been slashed since council bosses were threatened with heavy fines according to John Reid the Health Minister. Since January, council social services departments have been faced with a £100 fine for every day and elderly patient spends in hospital after they are fit to be discharged. bep 19.5

  1. Paramedics to give thrombolytic drugs. Since April 1 this year, paramedics carry out an ECG on suitable patients, transmit it by telemetry to Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust and North Bristol NHS Trust and doctors then decide whether the drugs should be given. This is significantly reducing the call to needle time. bep 18.5

  2. Elderly health project. A programme is being piloted in Bristol and South Gloucestershire where 13 specially trained nurses are employed to monitor elderly patients who are at risk of severe illness. They aim to spot early deterioration and get treatment underway to prevent admission to hospital. bep 4.5 and editorial

  3. Funding of specialist Epilepsy nurse. A post that has been funded for the first 2 years mostly by a charity Epilepsy Action is now under threat as the North Bristol NHS Trust is having difficulty finding funds to go on supporting this initiative. Consultants with an interest in epilepsy are giving their support for the post to be funded. bep 12.6

  4. Survey of whether smokers should be allowed to light up in public. The Bristol Evening Post as well as the Government is asking people in the Bristol area to take part in this survey which is open until July 12. bep 8.6

Recent deaths

Duncan Chisholm on 20 May 2004. Retired Consultant Psychiatrist UBHT

Geoff Scaife on 20 April 2004. Chief Executive of Avon,Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority.