Like Scotland, things are a little different in Wales, too.
In June 2010 we received a letter from Edwina Hart MBE, OStJ, AM, Minister for Health & Social Services in the Welsh Assembly, which said:
“The status of NICE technology appraisal guidance in Wales is the same as in England. Local Health Boards (LHBs) are under a statutory duty to provide funding to enable the implementation of NICE approved technologies within three months from the date that NICE publishes its final guidance.
“The English system of patient choice is not available in Wales. We have chosen to develop a world-class health service that is available to everyone, no matter which part of the country they live and at the time when they need it. I do not want Welsh residents feeling that to receive the best possible care they have to search and choose between hospitals for each element of their own care, before being referred to hospital. Instead, I want patients to be confident they are able to access high quality and safe healthcare services as close to their home as possible.
“Whilst I am convinced this is the right way to plan our future NHS services, I do recognise this may not be appropriate for every patient. LHBs have the flexibility to refer cases outside their area where they feel the patient’s circumstances and clinical need will justify this.
“Finally, I would like to add that patient care is the most important element of health care service provision in Wales.”
INPUT is now seeking guidance on how a patient can access insulin pump therapy if their local hospital doesn’t provide it. Watch this space!
PROACTIVE PUMP CLINICS IN WALES
Help us to keep this list up-to-date – if you believe your clinic should be here, or if you believe a clinic here is no longer pro-active, please email input.enquiries (at) gmail.com
We are glad to hear about clinics that should be on our list. By “pro-active” we mean patient-focussed clinics that see pumps as a tool for better self-management, that give enough pump education to enable patients to manage their own basal and bolus adjustments in the long term, and are knowledgeable about the funding process.
The numbers in brackets are the approximate number of pump users, where known.
Morriston Hospital, Swansea
Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny – Adults (more than 40)
Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil – Children (more than 70)
Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli – Adults (more than 60)
Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend – Children (more than 40)
Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Rhondda Cynon Taf – Adults and children
Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport – Adults and children (more than 50)
Singleton Hospital, Swansea – Adults and children (more than 80)
University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen – Adults and children (more than 100)
Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest – Children (more than 60)
See our