With the advent of new medications, the role of the primary care physician has expanded to include the treatment of prostatitis, overactive bladder, urinary tract infection, and other common urological conditions. Today, primary care practitioners and urologists work together to care for patients with common urological problems. In addition to practicing in a clinical setting, urologists now serve as consultants and educators for the wider medical community.
The primary care physician is the first person most patients approach when seeking evaluation and treatment for health concerns. This visit to the primary care physician may lead to further testing, referral to a specialist, or diagnosis and treatment. Today, primary care physicians are likely to consider initiating a treatment plan for common urological conditions that, in the past, required referral to a specialist. The availability of medications for many of these conditions has moved the primary care practitioner into an expanded role of care delivery.
The NHS financial reforms announced in Delivering the NHS Plan have now taken shape. The budget settlement of 2002 announced the largest ever sustained increase in NHS funding over 5 years, averaging 7.4% real growth per year and on course to match European average by 2008.
The aim of the new financial system is to provide a transparent, rules-based system for paying trusts. It will reward efficiency, support patient choice & diversity and encourage activity for sustainable waiting time reductions. Increased emphasis and resources are being placed on the need for integrated services. Payment by results has been set up to control increasing number of referrals. The government's plan means that GP's will be charged for each referral they make into acute care. Payment by Results is designed to keep assessment and treatment within the Primary Care area, keeping unnecessary cases out of hospitals.
BladderScan® is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who will be undertaking a continence assessment. Incontinence (at any degree) is a costly condition, not only in staff time but the provision of continence products and aids. The safest and most accurate way to assess bladder emptying is by through the use of BladderScan®.
For further information about Building an Integrated Continence Service please contact us for your copy of our booklet written by Sue Brown, Continence Advisor, Nottingham City PCT.
Building an Integrated Continence Service
BladderScan® Clinical Papers