By Paul Trevethick, GP Services Manager, East Sussex Downs & Weald PCT and Hastings & Rother PCT

Moving one of the main analytical tests for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) out of the hospital and into the doctor’s surgery is both saving money and improving the patient experience in the East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT.

By Mark Duman, Honorary President, the Patient Information Forum

Patient information – in this instance the information we give to them not about them – is a vital element in providing care to patients. It allows them, if they wish, to take a more active role in their care, and improves the relationship they have with health professionals. The best businesses place the customer at the centre of their efforts; so do the best health professionals.

By Dr Chris Parker, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK males, with more than 30,000 new cases diagnosed each year. At present, many men with prostate cancer undergo treatment which may be unnecessary. We know that as many as 80 per cent of men develop prostate cancer during their lifetime, but in most cases it does not cause any ill health. On the other hand, some prostate cancers will grow and spread, and become life threatening.

By Peter Baker, Chief Executive, Men's Health Forum

For almost 60 years, since the founding of the National Health Service, health policies and services at all levels have made little distinction between men and women's health. It has been assumed that men and women's health can, some sex-specific issues aside, be lumped together. The result has been that men's health has been one of the forgotten areas of healthcare in the UK.

North East Essex Primary Care Trust is stepping up plans for new health centres under NHS LIFT. The health centres are being planned for West Mersea and Wivenhoe, and a new GP surgery for St Anne's, Colchester. These plans had been suspended but the PCT Board is now working with Realise Health Ltd to progress them

With the recent completion of the hundredth primary care centre under the NHS LIFT programme, it can be said that LIFT has had a significant impact in renewing primary care infrastructure which had been neglected for so long. It has produced buildings of quality that are helping to transform the delivery of a much wider range of primary care services.

Maintaining a comfortable environment for both staff and patients is clearly a priority for any primary healthcare organisation. However, many practises and health centres do not realise that taking steps to improve energy efficiency can help rather than hinder these efforts.