What are we going to do about it?
- It is important to make sure that the most urgent patients are seen first. This will involve using 'Waiting Well' to communicate with patients on waiting lists to make sure their condition has not worsened. Where appropriate patients may be moved higher on the waiting list.
- Additional capacity will be provided for clinics within County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to see and treat more patients.
- Independent Hospitals will be used where necessary to transfer patients for treatment, who are less likely to need critical care.
- Different ways of providing care and seeing patients will be developed - for example a variety of face-to-face settings and the use of digital apps.
- Regular 1:1's will take place with staff, as well as conversations about health and wellbeing to see what support can be provided.
- Additional wellbeing support will be provided using digital apps such as Head Space.
How will we know that we have made a difference?
- Success will be achieved when we see a reduction in the number of patients on the waiting list and the waiting for treatment time lengths.
- We would expect to see a reduction in staff sickness and a decrease in staff turnover.
More information
Find out more about this subject in the related Objectives, Goals, Initiatives and Metrics (OGIM) document on Durham County Council’s Committee Services website under the Heath and Wellbeing Board meeting agenda item for 24 November 2021.
Your views
We are keen to hear your views on the content of the plan, including our priorities and the measures we have identified to understand if we are making a difference. Please complete the form below, to provide your views and comments, and these will be passed to the person responsible for this chapter.