New GP for Millom is latest boost for town’s healthcare - TopicsExpress

New GP for Millom is latest boost for town’s healthcare provision A new GP is joining the medical practice in Millom this month after responding to a plea from the local community to come and work in the town. Dr Rachael Bartrum is originally from Cumbria and was really impressed with the film and the sense of community within the town. Dr Bartrum said, “I heard about the developments happening in Millom through a friend of a friend, saw the report on television and then looked at the film online. I’m looking forward to joining the team.” The recruitment film starts with a short role play from 12 primary school children from St James School in Millom. The community decided to take action when they realised that the shortage of doctors was having an impact on the health services being delivered to a beautiful but isolated area of the County. The film can be viewed using this link and has had over 5000 views since it was launched in October https://youtube/watch?v=8rky8n7Co5U. Alison Redshaw, Practice Manager at Waterloo House Surgery said, “We have been advertising for a GP for the practice for over a year through traditional routes without any success. Through the partnership working we have established, the community came to understand that we really needed more GPs to help improve the healthcare provision for the town. They have been really creative pulling out all the stops to get the message heard that Millom needs a GP, and we are delighted that Dr Bartrum will be with us soon.” The new GP is one of a long line of developments that is already improving the healthcare provision, providing better access to health care & increasing services within the town. Dr Charlotte Hattersley, one of GPs working with the Surgery added, “Patients can now speak directly to a GP over the phone if they wish, and we have seen telephone consultations triple from around 600 to 2,000 per month. This has improved emergency care for all patients as it has increased the availability of GPs for patients who do need to see them face to face at the surgery, and meant that it is far easier to speak to a GP.” “The surgery has employed an additional phlebotomist to deal with blood samples making more appointments available and speeding up the process. Dr Jebur, who had been seconded by NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, has now been employed by the practice to continue working with patients in the residential homes, in order to make sure these patients get as good care as if they were able to come to the practice. Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust which runs Millom Hospital has employed a Nurse practitioner based full time at the Community Hospital, and improved the x-ray equipment available on site. Dr John Howarth, Director of Service Improvement at Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said, “It’s quite remarkable to see what can be achieved when all partners in the NHS, social care and community work together collaboratively. It was only 6 months ago that the community were marching through the streets protesting about their health service and in a short space of time we have come together to secure real improvements with many more still to come. The community should be commended on their professional approach and commitment to working with us to understand the problems and really help us provide better care with this fantastic film being a prime example.” Dr Ian Reed from Millom Health Action Group said, “The Millom Health Action Group are extremely pleased to welcome Dr Bartrum to our community. There are some fantastic developments going ahead for healthcare in Millom and GP numbers are at the heart of delivering the service Millom people deserve. We believe it sets an excellent example, especially for the children of St James, where people can come together and make a difference in their community. We would like to thank everyone involved but particularly the children, without whose contribution, the video would not have had the impact it did. It is amazing what people can do when they come together and try to change things for the better.” Dr Paul Grout, Clinical Director for acute medicine at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust said: “I’m delighted that Dr Bartrum is joining us and look forward to welcoming her to our team of health professionals.” The GP practice is still looking for more GP hours to provide routine general practice and the additional services that the exciting developments have brought to health care in Millom.