Portree trials to transform Skye health service
Trials of a day service at Portree Community Hospital could help transform health and care services provided on the Isle of Skye.
The trial, which began last week, includes part of the hospital facility being transformed into a one-stop shop for the assessment of and subsequent support for frail and elderly patients living in the north of the island.
Referred by their GP, allied health or care professional because they are at risk of falling or have complex health problems, the day service will assess patients’ particular health care needs and develop appropriate care plans for them.
If the trial is successful, NHS Highland and other stakeholders are keen to expand the concept and the approach to cover a wide range of conditions.
Dr Louise Lankston, GP at Portree Medical Centre, said: ‘The practice initiated and has led on the development of this proposed new service and we are working closely with our community colleagues and Dr Karen LeBall, consultant in medicine for the elderly.
‘The aim of the service is to provide a proactive planned intervention process where people get the levels of support they need before something happens, allowing them to remain at home with planned support and to provide timely non-hospitalised interventions.
‘There is also an important social aspect of the service, which is why we are using the hospital day room. Attendance may be one day a week for two weeks or longer, depending on the person’s treatment plan.
‘The trial will also determine if such a service is needed, the potential benefits to patients and how it could run and be funded.’
Initially, the trial of the North Skye Day Service is using patients referred by Portree Medical Centre’s own GPs. But if successful and established as a service, it will cover the whole of north Skye.
Roslynne O’Connor, practice manager at Portree Medical Centre, added: ‘There is a lot to consider, transport being one example. However, we hope through this trial we can evidence that this service would be of value to the people of north Skye and to provide a blueprint that could be replicated in south Skye and, potentially, in other areas.’