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You are here: News » News Archive 2009 » Rural health plan for Wales announced
Rural health plan for Wales announced
New rural practitioner plus rural pharmacy network
Dr Allan Tennant reports
4th of December 2009
New proposals aimed at driving forward improvements to health and social care provision in Wales's rural areas were announced on the 2nd of December by Health Minister Edwina Hart.
The plan outlines how the NHS can fully utilise the skills of staff and resources to deliver better care for patients in rural localities.
The plan includes:
developing a new ‘rural practitioner' role - multi-skilled professionals who will cover services across NHS healthcare and social care - to serve rural communities;
developing a network of pharmacies so that patients in rural areas can more easily access local pharmacy services;
increasing the use of telehealth and telecare so that patients do not have to travel long distances for routine treatment and checks; and,
establishing a rural health innovation fund to help fund improvements.
The plan looks at how a range of services including hospitals, GP practices, dental services, district and community nursing, occupational health, physiotherapy services and community mental health support can be delivered most effectively within rural communities.
The Health Minister also announced the establishment of an expert group to advise on the delivery of the plan. Members will be selected for their expertise, knowledge and insight into rural health. This will be supported by a reference group with representation from LHBs, professional advisory groups, local government, third sector and patient/ user groups.
How access to GPs in rural areas could be improved will be considered by the group and alternative models of patient transport for emergency and non-emergency needs in rural areas will be reviewed.
The DDA will be studying Edwina Hart's statement carefully and liaising with other organisations to understand the implications for rural medical practice in Wales.