Canadians looks to Good Hope for new ideas

A senior clinician from Canada has visited Good Hope Hospital’s new treatment centre – and praised it for being on the “leading edge” of new thinking in providing patient care.

Dr Andy Hamilton and senior manager Janine Johns came to the Sutton Coldfield hospital during a fact-finding tour of the UK.

They were investigating new ideas for modernising health care services on behalf of the Interior Health Authority in the state of British Columbia.

Dr Hamilton said he was impressed with Good Hope’s treatment centre, which provides outpatient and diagnostic services, including an endoscopy suite. Plans are being developed to build two day surgery theatres.

He said: “It’s a lovely facility. There is so much space and I like the way it has been designed around the needs of the patients. We have nothing like it in British Colombia, but I wouldn’t mind if we did.”

Dr Hamilton, who is a consultant anaesthetist, said Canadian hospitals are struggling to reduce long waiting lists, so he was also impressed with the efficiencies generated by the treatment centre.

He added: “Having all the services under one roof speeds up patient care so waiting times come down. I would like to see the same approach being applied in Canada, though I’m not sure it’s possible given the way our health services are funded.”

The Canadian visitors were shown round the treatment centre by Good Hope’s Medical Director Dr Fran Murray and Director of Operations Andrew Walker.

Andrew Walker said: “It was interesting to see what they made of the treatment centre. The NHS has always looked to copy good ideas around the world – so there is no reason why other countries can’t learn from us.

“Since the centre opened in July, around 1,500 patients have been seen in the endoscopy suite and more than 20,000 people have attended outpatient clinics. The response from patients has been overwhelmingly favourable.”

The Canadian guests were particularly keen to see examples of ambulatory care, so-called because patients walk in – have their treatment – and then walk out again on the same day.

Dr Hamilton said: “Good Hope’s treatment centre is an example of the leading edge in ambulatory care. It was good to get a chance to see it in action.”

For more information, contact Andy Comber, Head of Communications, at Good Hope NHS Trust: 0121 378 2211 ext 1146, Mob: 07974 575104.

Source : Good Hope