What does it look like?
Ellen Hinkley
Always open to opportunities ? ? Business development manager @ Dr Morton's | ? PCN Manager @ Wickford PCN | ? PCN/PM supporter @ Essex LMC | ? Accompanied Viewer @ Home of Leigh | ? Founder: Enchanté the Label
"What would you do, if you could wave a magic wand?"
That classic, strategic question asked in so many meetings where at least half the room doesn't really care!...
The answer is always personal.
Whether you want to speak up or not is another question... But the question should be asked. Because without asking what we want the future to look like, we will never be capable of envisioning or imagining what we really want... what the world and the context that we live in could really look like...
Try to imagine a world, or ok, let's be realistic, try to imagine a country, where you can access women's health advice and treatment within a week. No referrals, no prolonged pain and suffering, just quick, efficient, expert advice when you need it.
The Government and NHSE are aware of the unfortunate state of Gynaecology access and waiting lists in the UK right now.
We now have a women's health lead and strategy for England, and the NHS is awake to the fact that it needs to do more to enable women to get better, and quicker access to specialist advice when they need it most.
What's the plan then?
Well, the long term plan is outlined in the Women's health strategy for England which you can read at your leisure. But ultimately, Primary and Secondary care need to collaborate and find solutions to the broken pathway that is women's health. The ICBs (Integrated Care Board's) which are the local NHS organisations responsible for the services commissioned in your locality, need to find alternative routes for women where their health is being compromised due to long referral wait times, lack of GPs with specialist interest in women's health, and an intensely tightened budget!
One thing your local ICB and Primary care network will have been doing is rolling out what is called a 'Women's health hub'. Now this will look slightly different in each area but essentially, your ICB will have looked at the available services and providers in your area, the women's health conditions which are using up the largest resource in secondary care, and then will be trying to establish suitable hubs which meet the needs of the population in each smaller locality. The hubs might be on a PCN or ICB level, so it might be that they look very different when it comes to physical or virtual appointments and what's on offer for you as a patient!
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Will this do? Is this the answer?
From our experience, women need help and support earlier than what's on offer currently. The Women's health hubs are a stepping stone in the right direction for women and what we require to have our essential needs met, but there is an opportunity for Primary care to be the leader in offering timely access to women's health services - the solution to providing women with a quick, easy and direct route to specialist advice and guidance.
Dr Morton's brings NHS gynaecologists to the heart of primary care - where you - as a patient - can access the service and speak to the same consultant you would be in front of at the hospital, over the phone, in the comfort of your own home. Booking through your GP surgery means your records are kept up to date, there are no GDPR issues or communication problems, and your medication, treatment plans, and all the advice and guidance you and your GP need is safely held on your medical record.
We have found that collaborating with innovative people and networks is the catalyst for change. It is the 'power' in empowerment, that brings teams and skills together to make things better! We hope that many more practices and NHS organisations will join us on our mission to make Women's health accessible to everyone in the UK.
Please reach out if you have a problem or concern you would like to discuss with a specialist in Women’s health.
We talk to women every day who have waited far too long to get a solution for their women's health problem. If you are experiencing unusual symptoms for you, and you want to speak to someone in confidence, get in touch today.
Dr Morton’s is here to support all women, no matter where they are on their health journey. Women deserve access to specialists who know exactly what the problem is at the time they call or ask for help. They shouldn’t have to wait weeks on end for someone to give them the correct treatment and advice.