Improving Access to Healthcare in Rutland
Rutland County Council received an encouraging update at its recent meeting from the Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Health Scrutiny Committee representative on the progress being made to enhance healthcare services in the region.
Key improvements highlighted in the report included:
Increased GP appointments: The number of appointments available has grown by 17.4% in the past year, thanks to initiatives like Pharmacy First which has expanded prescribing capacity.
Enhanced GP services: Phase 2 improvements for 2024/25 focus on increased recruitment, workforce retention, training, IT systems, and service commissioning.
Improved GP website access: Standardisation across LLR has led to increased website usability.
Expanding Pharmacy First: Prescribing powers and pharmacist training are being expanded to further enhance service capacity.
Improved dental access: Access to NHS dental services across LLR is improving, with a new NHS contract for Rutland expected to be finalised soon.
Targeted dental care: Initiatives are underway to improve access for children, particularly those in deprived areas, through more flexible services, preventative work, and cross-border referrals.
While progress has been made, the report also acknowledged ongoing challenges such as:
Shortage of dentists: The availability of trained dentists remains a significant issue.
Under-utilisation of out-of-hours dental care: Efforts are underway to address this.
Limited NHS contract terms: The willingness of dentists to work in the NHS on current contract terms remains a concern.
Overall, the report provided a positive outlook on the future of healthcare in Rutland. The ongoing efforts to improve access to GP and dental services are expected to have a significant impact on the well-being of residents.
