Reconciling competing priorities in commissioning: the future of bone densitometry service for North Wales
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoporosis creates brittle bones susceptible to fracture, with resulting high levels of morbidity and mortality. Poor access to bone densitometry services for the residents of North Wales led to the Welsh Assembly Government offeri...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2007-01-01
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| Series: | Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation |
| Online Access: | http://www.resource-allocation.com/content/5/1/1 |
| _version_ | 1818347435840241664 |
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| author | Russell Ian Roberts Richard Payne Sandra Atenstaedt Robert L Russell Daphne Edwards Rhiannon |
| author_facet | Russell Ian Roberts Richard Payne Sandra Atenstaedt Robert L Russell Daphne Edwards Rhiannon |
| author_sort | Russell Ian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoporosis creates brittle bones susceptible to fracture, with resulting high levels of morbidity and mortality. Poor access to bone densitometry services for the residents of North Wales led to the Welsh Assembly Government offering capital to purchase a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner, used to diagnose osteoporosis, for the region. The commissioning question for the six Local Health Boards across North Wales was where to site the new scanner. This decision needed to reflect current inequalities in access to services and concerns over inappropriate prescribing relative to Welsh norms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Epidemiological, corporate and comparative healthcare needs assessments were performed. In addition, two cross-sectional surveys were conducted to determine the views of general practices and users of bone densitometry services resident in North Wales. An option appraisal and sensitivity analysis of 13 costed options for DXA scanning was conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We estimated that only 31% of the people in North Wales who met national guidelines were receiving DXA scans. There was definite inequity of access to the current service provided by area of residence. There was also evidence of inequity of access by age and sex. The most suitable option identified in the option appraisal was a bone densitometry service based in the central location of Llandudno.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The assessment identified significant unmet need for DXA scanning. A recommendation was made to improve access through the introduction of a new bone densitometry service based at Llandudno. This would double scanning provision provided and reduce travel costs and time for many North Wales residents. This recommendation was adopted by a joint commissioning group established by the six Local Health Boards in North Wales at the end of 2004 – evidence based commissioning in practice.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T17:34:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-80918d5a963641838a78775537659da7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1478-7547 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T17:34:07Z |
| publishDate | 2007-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation |
| spelling | doaj.art-80918d5a963641838a78775537659da72022-12-21T23:36:59ZengBMCCost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation1478-75472007-01-0151110.1186/1478-7547-5-1Reconciling competing priorities in commissioning: the future of bone densitometry service for North WalesRussell IanRoberts RichardPayne SandraAtenstaedt Robert LRussell DaphneEdwards Rhiannon<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoporosis creates brittle bones susceptible to fracture, with resulting high levels of morbidity and mortality. Poor access to bone densitometry services for the residents of North Wales led to the Welsh Assembly Government offering capital to purchase a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner, used to diagnose osteoporosis, for the region. The commissioning question for the six Local Health Boards across North Wales was where to site the new scanner. This decision needed to reflect current inequalities in access to services and concerns over inappropriate prescribing relative to Welsh norms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Epidemiological, corporate and comparative healthcare needs assessments were performed. In addition, two cross-sectional surveys were conducted to determine the views of general practices and users of bone densitometry services resident in North Wales. An option appraisal and sensitivity analysis of 13 costed options for DXA scanning was conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We estimated that only 31% of the people in North Wales who met national guidelines were receiving DXA scans. There was definite inequity of access to the current service provided by area of residence. There was also evidence of inequity of access by age and sex. The most suitable option identified in the option appraisal was a bone densitometry service based in the central location of Llandudno.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The assessment identified significant unmet need for DXA scanning. A recommendation was made to improve access through the introduction of a new bone densitometry service based at Llandudno. This would double scanning provision provided and reduce travel costs and time for many North Wales residents. This recommendation was adopted by a joint commissioning group established by the six Local Health Boards in North Wales at the end of 2004 – evidence based commissioning in practice.</p>http://www.resource-allocation.com/content/5/1/1 |
| spellingShingle | Russell Ian Roberts Richard Payne Sandra Atenstaedt Robert L Russell Daphne Edwards Rhiannon Reconciling competing priorities in commissioning: the future of bone densitometry service for North Wales Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation |
| title | Reconciling competing priorities in commissioning: the future of bone densitometry service for North Wales |
| title_full | Reconciling competing priorities in commissioning: the future of bone densitometry service for North Wales |
| title_fullStr | Reconciling competing priorities in commissioning: the future of bone densitometry service for North Wales |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reconciling competing priorities in commissioning: the future of bone densitometry service for North Wales |
| title_short | Reconciling competing priorities in commissioning: the future of bone densitometry service for North Wales |
| title_sort | reconciling competing priorities in commissioning the future of bone densitometry service for north wales |
| url | http://www.resource-allocation.com/content/5/1/1 |
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