The head of the NHS visited Barnsley’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) and the Barnsley Markets last week to learn more about how the NHS in South Yorkshire is bringing services closer to people and into communities.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, visited the CDC in Barnsley’s retail centre The Glass Works on Friday 13 October, and was welcomed by Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive of NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and Barnsley Hospital Chief Executive, Dr Richard Jenkins.
The high-tech healthcare unit in the heart of Barnsley is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of hospital staff and has been serving patients since 18 April, 2022.
Ms Pritchard toured the CDC on Friday, meeting radiographers, sonographers, speciality nurses in the Capsule Endoscopy Service and NHS apprentices and trainees.
The visit also saw Ms Pritchard join the team at Barnsley Markets to find out more about the ‘How's Thi Ticker’ programme, which is helping to make blood pressure and health checks more accessible in community locations.
The council and NHS in Barnsley have worked together to offer mobile blood pressure and health checks service out of barber shops, markets, libraries and supermarkets, as part of the national drive to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
The programme makes it easier for local people to get tested and gives them confidence to ask any questions they have. When someone is referred to a local pharmacy, in their own neighbourhood, they’re more likely to attend and get the vital support and treatment they need.
Ms Pritchard said: “It was amazing to visit Barnsley and see first-hand the huge difference that the community diagnostic centre is having on the lives of local people - by bringing health checks to the high street, staff there working with their local partners, are ensuring services are as convenient as possible for patients as well as successfully driving down waiting times.
“The staff working at the Glassworks CDC and at the local blood pressure checks in the market were incredible - from student radiographers to specialist nurses, they should all be immensely proud of their work - it is absolutely first class and exactly what we want to see happening for patients right across the county.”
Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive at NHS South Yorkshire said: “We were delighted to welcome Amanda Pritchard to Barnsley to showcase the pioneering work at the Community Diagnostics Centre. It’s great to see the partnership between local NHS providers and Barnsley Council leading the way in bringing services closer to people and communities.
“And that’s the same for the How’s Thi Ticker campaign, with our terrific volunteers helping to bring free blood pressure checks to the heart of our communities, encouraging more people to get tested for the first time.”
“By going out to local people, whether that be at local events or where they do their shopping, it makes it much more convenient for people to take up the offer and learn more about their blood pressure.”
“Getting a blood pressure check is quick, easy and could save your life. So, I encourage anyone who hasn’t had theirs checked recently to come and speak to the team.”