Patients in the Rochdale area who experience symptoms of peripheral arterial disease will benefit from a new community-based PAD assessment service designed to relieve pressure on hospitals.
The pilot service, which will run in the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale areas, will offer vascular assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management plans.
Through the Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Referral and Assessment Service (RAS), clinicians will work closely with patients to agree community-based treatment plans. It will also provide referrals to lifestyle improvement programmes and community partners.
In addition, the service will also help to raise awareness of PAD and treatment options, by working with GPs and other healthcare professionals to boost detection rates and lower the number of referrals to secondary care.
In addition, the new service aims to optimise PAD management in line with NICE guidance through its close working with GPs.
Advanced lower limb vascular practitioner Monica Scully is leading the pilot and she said: “With the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PAD assessment service (pilot), we have an incredible opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives and futures of people.
“The service will deliver timely, skilled, accurate assessment and early detection of PAD in the community setting, reducing waiting times for secondary care and the associated costs.
“The model is tried and tested; Salford saw a 42% reduction in amputation rates from 2015 to 2021 and North Manchester experienced 90% reduction in PAD referrals to vascular secondary care on inception of their service. My ambition is for this community-based service to be established long term and become integral in the management of peripheral arterial disease in Rochdale.”
