A service for people with rheumatoid arthritis has won a
prestigious award for the pioneering support it gives to patients
with long-term health problems.
The direct access system developed by University Hospitals
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust's Rheumatology Unit beat national
competition to earn a Guardian Public Service Awards title.
The system won in the category for service delivery for
treatment of long-term conditions at a ceremony in London this
week.
Direct access allows patients to get advice and arrange hospital
outpatient appointments at their choosing through a dedicated
helpline. The system helps patients to manage their health better
and to stay out of hospital.
A patient in pain can call the helpline, which is staffed by a
team of specialist nurses who can advise and book them in within
days to see a doctor if they need treatment.
They can also book them in to nurse appointments or refer them
to other team members such as physiotherapists or occupational
therapists.
The direct access clinic was set up by rheumatology unit head
Professor John Kirwan and Sarah Hewlett, Professor of Rheumatology
and Nursing at the University of the West of England.
Prof Kirwan said: "We are delighted to have won this award - it
is great to get national recognition on behalf of the team for an
initiative which is making a real difference to the lives of our
patients."
Rheumatoid arthritis affects people of all ages and causes
severe pain, stiffness and disability.
The clinic, which is based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, was
set up when it became evident that the existing system could be
improved for patients, who go through better and worse periods.
Prof Kirwan said: "Traditional clinic visits to the medical
specialist are made at fixed dates; referral to physiotherapy,
expert nurses and occupational therapy is made as necessary at the
time.
"However, this does not put patients' needs first, wastes visits
when the patient is well and fails to provide care when pain and
inflammation are at their worst."
Direct access has become a huge success. Now, patients can get
an appointment within days of their call to the clinic. They far
prefer the new system - which is also cheaper to run - and the
clinic is now being copied by hospitals elsewhere in the UK and
abroad.
The judges said the winning project provided an innovative and
sensitive joined-up service, which was solely about user needs.
For further information, contact the University Hospitals
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust press office on 0117 342
3751.
Editor's note:
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust manages eight
hospitals: Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol
Haematology & Oncology Centre, Bristol Royal Hospital for
Children, St Michael's Hospital, University of Bristol Dental
Hospital, the Homeopathic Hospital and Bristol General
Hospital.
