Primary health care service provision for Whitlingham ward, Hellesdon hospital

Whitlingham ward is a 16 bed Women's Blended Secure Service (low and medium security) located at Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich. The key aim and objective is to provide access to the same primary health care provision for the women in Whitlingham ward as is offered to the general population. This will include access to the national physical health screening programmes (cervical, breast and bowel cancer screening) and chronic disease management. This contract award has been made under the provisions of the Provider Selection Regime - Direct Award A process. Additional information: Prospect Medical Practice is the only capable provider for this contract. They were the only local practice willing to fully register the patients and were open to flexible working with the in-patient team to ensure equity of access to all of the advantages of a primary care for the in-patients on Whitlingham ward. The in-patients have been registered with Prospect Medical Practice since May 2021. They have been called and recalled for national health screening programmes in the same way as the general public. The ward doctor and a named general practitioner have regular scheduled discussions about the patients' primary care needs. There is rapid access for advice outside of the schedule. The named general practitioner visits the ward by arrangement on a needs-led basis. The primary care record is maintained in order that there are no gaps as a result of the in-patients being in secure services for the longer term. All of the above result in continuity of primary care which is acknowledged to be vital to good clinical care and better health outcomes. Disruption of continuity of care when the process is working well and the needs of the in-patients are being met as well as being delivered within the planned cost envelope by the same provider is unnecessary and potentially harmful.