Pioneering dementia scheme could save billions in health care costs
AN AWARD-winning project pioneered at a Stoke health centre could set the benchmark for dementia care in the UK.
Health trusts throughout England and Scotland are interested in taking up the innovative scheme which could save billions of pounds in health care costs.
GP Dr Ian Greaves has already won a major enterprise award for his work on the widely acclaimed Gnosall Health Centre project.
Gnosall developed an innovative care pathway for its 8,000 patients that led to a dramatic reduction in hospital costs.
Dr Greaves told Alzheimer Scotland’s recent Dementia Awareness Conference in Glasgowhow the pathway involved:
- A health visitor assessment inside one week;
- A consultant examination inside one month;
- A care plan and treatment launched in one month.
He explained how better use of resources – including eliminating unnecessary consultancy and scanning fees – had helped to produce savings of £400,000 in the past year. This money was being re-invested in providing better – and more pertinent care – for patients with dementia.
Better earlier diagnosis of dementia at Gnosall includes home visits for those with memory concerns, with checks carried out for dementia and depression. A monthly clinic is organised at the surgery with a specialist psychiatrist, and a health visitor attends with the patient and their carer.
Dr Greaves spoke in Glasgow of the need for people to win the ‘hearts and souls’ of GPs. ‘We have to address the value of diagnosis. We have to make sure carers can cope. There is enough money out there to do this – we have to make it work.’
March 16th, 2011 at 8:17 am
Nice informative post.