Melanie Chalk

Job Title:

Service Manager - Renal and Urology

Email:

melanie.chalk@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk

Biography:

Following University I worked in IT security for some time, I joined the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme and was placed down in Brighton for 2 years.  In September 2006 I joined Guy’s and St.Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust where I worked as a Service Manager in Cardiothoracic surgery, here I had the opportunity to spend time working with patients to develop the Cancer Strategy Programme aimed at re-designing pathways and services to ensure they were patient centred.

I started working at  BLT in December 2008. Currently my time is spent working between both renal and urology, both very different and dynamic services. My work in urology focuses around implementing both local and national policy programmes, such as delivering on the Governments 18 Week Access Programme; this means that we should aim to treat patients within 18 weeks of them being referred from their GP. Treatment may take a number of forms and could include medication, surgery or advice. A lot of work is currently going on to improve our access targets and we hope to initiate a one-stop urology clinic soon. Our one-stop clinic would aim to see and diagnose patients in one visit so that they return home with a clear diagnosis and treatment plan. The clinic is being designed in response to patient’s requests, asking us to decrease the amount of time we ask patients to come up to see us at the hospital.  These visits can often be time consuming and costly.

At present we (the urology team) are working hard to turn the service around to ensure a world class service for our patients, this means a lot more than ensuring our patients are treated quickly; it also means ensuring our patients receive the best possible care, in the most appropriate setting, with the most specialised of staff.  We are keen to build our services around our patients and around their needs and continue to work hard to give patients the information and choices they need to make the most informed decision. Current projects include preparing for our move into the new hospital building and speaking with patients to get their feedback on services to help progress and improve them