Avon & Wiltshire NHS Trust - Phase One

The site for this pilot project is Green Lane Hospital (GLH) Devizes, Wiltshire; it covers the whole inpatient unit which initially comprised 63 beds over three wards; two wards catered for adults of working age and one ward for older adults. However, during the project the Trust closed the older adult ward so the project now focuses on services for adults of a working age. The catchment area served by the unit is approximately 330,000.

The project group was made up of representatives from the unit that included consultants, a pharmacist, an SHO, a Service User representative, HR, the Service Manager and a number of other individuals, who contributed over the project period. The input of all those who took part were invaluable and the Trust wish to express its thanks to all the individuals who participated.

In August 2004 the Working Time Directive (WTD) came into force to protect the health and safety of workers. This applies specifically to doctors in training through a number of initiatives including restricting hours worked (to a maximum of 58) and imposing minimum rest requirements (with a maximum of 13 hours of work in any 24 with at least 11 hours of rest between shifts). The next challenge will be WTD 2009, which will include taking the maximum working hours down to 48.

The overarching strategic driver for the project is the need to support the NHS to deliver the 2009 requirements of the WTD while improving the service provided at the pilot sites.

The Avon pilot project was completed in August 2007. A number of documents were developed relating to clinical care issues, service redesign, protocols for medical intervention. These can be viewed below as well as detailed information about the project itself and its evaluation.