CHP has been able to move dermatology services from Burnley General Teaching Hospital into space at Barbara Castle Way, Blackburn, at speed, due to the flexibility of their buildings.
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) needed space for 18 weeks service delivery whilst works are undertaken to modernise Burnley General Teaching Hospital. Following discussion in mid-October, ELHT needed to move into Barbara Castle Way within four weeks.
The health centre spans four storeys and includes an underground car park for patients and serves approximately 13,000 patients each week. It hosts a variety of services including general practice, dentistry, audiology, physiotherapy and primary care mental health, gave the perfect opportunity to deliver the services through collaborative, and flexible, working. The dermatology team have been able to seamlessly move into four previously unused rooms.
Moving the services into Barbara Castle Way has had a positive effect on patients. It is estimated that the service is seeing 40 patients a day in the temporary space, appointments that would otherwise have had to be cancelled, or delayed, meaning an increase to the NHS backlog and a poorer experience for patients.
Rapid, effective use of the space meant that this neighbourhood-based building can be used to provide services where they were most needed and at minimal cost. This is a fantastic example of how CHP buildings are flexible and give service providers the opportunity to move in with minimal adjustments or disruption within the building.
Due to the lack of a reception, quick thinking and planning from CHP, and their key partners, means that the dermatology service shares space with the diabetes team in the building, providing an effective and efficient service. In addition, it was agreed that equipment for minor operations would be provided through Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.
Proactive collaborative working from the Integrated Care Board (ICB), with support from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Community Health Partnerships (CHP), has ensured the continuity of dermatology services while essential works are carried out at Burnley District General Hospital. Early engagement was key to ensuring patients continue to receive high-quality care without disruption.
The dermatology team moving into Barbara Castle Way is another excellent example of how CHP can work flexibly to support our ICB colleagues. We are delighted to have been able to find space within the East Lancashire area for them within the community. It is vital we utilise space in our buildings and teams can access high-quality healthcare estate, at speed, should they need it.
The facilities are wonderful and very clean, which we have experienced ourselves but also had the same feedback from staff. Stephen Lee, CHP Operation and Relationships Manager for the building, has been helpful with the move and made us feel comfortable and accommodated.
CHP worked with ELHT, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Eric Wright Group and One Partnership to make best use of the space to support the dermatology team. This project also highlights how working together with their partners, CHP can help utilise existing LIFT assets for the NHS at speed due to their flexibility.
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