Wrexham and Flintshire clinic wait times hoping to be slashed

People with stomach and intestinal problems will now be seen quicker following the launch of a new gastroenterology clinic in Flintshire and Wrexham.

The new clinic will be led by dietitians who will see, diagnose, and treat non-urgent patients and is hoping to result in a reduction for wait times.

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The First Contact Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) Dietitian Led Gastroenterology Clinic is funded by Bevan Commission’s Planned Care Innovation Programme, in partnership with Welsh Government and will see that non-urgent patients with gut issues can be directly referred to an ACP Gastroenterology Dietitian for an initial assessment, diagnostics, and management. 

Jeanette Starkey, Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Clinical Lead said: “We have reviewed the skill mix within the gastroenterology department and, based on previous work, have identified that by utilizing the skills of an advanced clinical practitioner gastroenterology dietitian, we can significantly improve our outpatient services. 

“This is a more streamlined, safe and effective pathway for patients with non-urgent gut issues.” 

Patients referred to an acute hospital’s gastroenterology service will be assessed by gastro consultants and those identified as likely functional gut issues will be referred directly to an ACP. The service aims to reduce the waiting list for non-urgent gastroenterology patients, and it will enable consultants to see urgent or more complex patients more timely reducing risk of admission and improving management plans for patient. 

New weekly First Contact Dietitian clinics have been set up in to see new patients and tackle the current waiting list. Clinics are currently at Mold Community Hospital, Deeside Community Hospital, Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Caia Park surgery.