Here you'll find everything you need to know about your appointment, our clinics, our team and much more. If you cannot find what you're looking for below, don't hesitate to call us on 0113 249 4655.
All of our services adhere to the latest professional guidelines and regulations and meet all of the appropriate clinical governance and quality assurance criteria as laid down by the NHS and professional bodies. This ensures our partner organisations and patients can be assured of the highest standards of treatment and care.
Regular quality assessments including both patients and clinicians are undertaken which play a vital part in our continued development, ensuring that our services continue to meet patient and clinical needs.
All our services can be referred to via NHS E-Referral or our online referral system.
LivingCare are a diagnostic and outpatient provider working across Yorkshire. We hold a range of AQP contracts and Sub-contracts across Yorkshire. Established by Dr Stephen Feldman with a wish to provider care closer to his patients who attended his GP practice in Morley, Leeds. This principle 16 years ago was relatively new, however over the 16 years LivingCare has continued to provide an increasing range of services closer to the community.
We currently see over 5000 patients per month.
LivingCare can work with other providers, GP practices, acute trusts and the CCG to provide the following outpatient and diagnostic provision:
• Ears, Nose and Throat
• Dermatology
• Minor Operations
• Urology
• Ophthalmology
• Gastroenterology
• Gastroscopy (Endoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy) (including 2ww patients)
• Cystoscopy
• Orthopaedics
• MSK Provision
We know that CCGs and Acute Trusts have stringent Standing Financial Instructions as well as varying contract arrangements.
Our provision can be commissioned on various basis:
We have a long experience of mobilising services in very tight timescales, through to a longer period of integration into the local healthcare economy. This will be in line with any CCG or Trust commissioning discussions.
We would where possible use local consultants and medical team who are established or have knowledge in the local pathways to ensure the patients have the appropriate care pathway.
We would utilise SystmOne to record all patients and these would form part of the GP record. We would subcontract with the local NHS Trust Pathology and Histology laboratory to ensure that the processing of samples is held locally.
Depending on the arrangements with the commissioning body would depend on the arrangements regarding accommodation. This would range from us working within GP practices and renting rooms and theatre space, through to working within Acute Trust estate.
Of our patients 96% would highly likely or likely recommend us to friends and family, this is of a sample size of 11% of our patients responding. We offer flexibility in our appointments, and location choice. As part of this our aim is to make our services as efficient and cost effective for our commissioning partner. Our services consistently run at a 5% DNA rate, and we utilise 92% of our patient appointments (3% - clinically not appropriate, unable to be filled or consent withdrawn).
Our patients have many options to communicate with us – from:
This enables us to support the patient in attending and booking their appointment whilst at work, university and their personal life.
We can add clinics into ERS system for patients to book directly into, along with setting up secure servers for patient image transfer and IPT of patients between providers.
We have a range of data mechanisms that we use to monitor performance. This includes our dashboard for availability https://intel.livingcare.co.uk which enables NHS Trusts, CCGs in the local area to identify patients and optimise flow.
On a monthly basis we undertake a full SUS submission flowing into national datasets for activity, wait time and outcomes.
Our team would happily work with you to develop solutions for the data to meet your requirements and any reporting across the healthcare economy – including capacity and demand activity.
The Clinical Nurse Lead for each service works under delegated powers of the Registered Manager for their service. This is in line with the requirements of the Care Quality Commission with reporting lines back through the Registered Manager to the Medical Director and the board. The emphasis is to provide the service with a multidisciplinary team led by our consultant.
All staff take part in regular staff meetings where they are given opportunities to discuss team performance, service delivery issues and contribute to service developments and improvements. The Clinical Services Manager will also attend the meetings to ensure that clear lines of communication are encouraged and established.
Underpinning this is our clinical governance processes encompassing:
In order to deliver our services we need to ensure we have high quality clinical
environment that enables clinicians to undertake safe treatment. We audit our facilities on a monthly basis to ensure that they are up to our high expectations. Our facilities are regulated through the CQC, and our Gastroenterology is accredited by JAG.
We ensure we have full processes for IPC, Health and Safety and clinical delivery. Any incidents or issues are reported via our incident form and are dealt with quickly. Our incident rate is currently at 0.03% and our complaints rate is 0.05% of patients.
As a provider of services we need to ensure we protect those patients who are vulnerable. We do this through ensuring our clinicians are fully trained to the appropriate level, that they have read our policies and are knowledgeable of the local safeguarding policies and safeguarding teams.
We recognise that budgets and spending is tight across the health economy. We would work within the Leeds AQP prices for the work that we undertake for any commissioners – this is reflective of our salary costs for our central teams. These prices are however based on zero volume contracts and there is opportunity based on guaranteed volumes of patients. We will never charge over national tariff for procedures and outpatient appointments.
We know that it often is hard to discuss outsourcing care to an external organisation. However, we would like the opportunity to discuss services and working with you to develop services and improve patient flow in the system.
Below is an overview of the departments and treatments you can refer a patient for treatment with LivingCare.
LivingCare’s Gastroenterology service is directly bookable and is run by gastroenterology GPwSI and consultants, who are experienced in the full range of upper and lower gastroenterology conditions and can provide a service from consultation through to assessment and treatment.
Our gastroenterology service is also able to offer Faecal Calprotectin testing.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB or Northgate Medical Centre, Pontefract, WF8or Fountain Medical Centre, LS27 9EN
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Community Gastroenterology - Living Care Health Services
LivingCare’s JAG accredited* Gastroscopy service is able to receive direct referrals from GPs within the NHS Leeds and Wakefield areas.
*To achieve JAG Accreditation an endoscopy service must provide clear evidence that they have met all of the GRS Standards. JAG accreditation assessment visits are booked once a service has demonstrated a minimum of a year participating in the GRS standards and at the agreed GRS levels for accreditation.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB or Northgate Medical Centre, Pontefract, WF8 or Fountain Medical Centre, LS27 9EN
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Community Endoscopy - Living Care Health Services
Conditions Treated:
Other conditions include;
Procedures Performed:
Exclusions:
Service Notes:
If the patient elects for sedation, they will need to bring someone with them to the appointment to wait or stay in the building and be driven home and observed for 24 hours by a responsible adult.
LivingCare offer an open access lower GI flexible sigmoidoscopy service for the diagnosis of symptoms affecting the bowel, including taking samples and injection of haemorrhoids.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB or Northgate Medical Centre, Pontefract, WF8or Fountain Medical Centre, LS27 9EN
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - Living Care Health Services
Conditions Treated:
Rectal bleeding and injection treatment of Haemorrhoids when appropriate.
Exclusions:
Patients without rectal bleeding.
Patients taking warfarin.
Heart valve replacement.
Severe Parkinsonism.
Procedures Performed:
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Haemorrhoid Injection
Banding of Haemorrhoids
LivingCare’s dermatology service is a highly efficient clinic offering short waiting times and excellent facilities in a community-based setting. We are very pleased to be able to offer Roaccutane acne treatment, often only available in a hospital setting.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB or Fountain Medical Centre, Morley, LS27 9ENor The Gables Surgery, Pudsey, LS28
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Community Dermatology - Living Care Health Services
Conditions Treated:
Discoid eczema.
Urticaria/Angiodema.
Fungal infections.
Recurrent bacterial infections.
Pityriasis versicolor.
Plaque psoriasis (refer direct to LTHT if phototherapy likely).
Alopecia areata.
Androgenic alopecia.
General dermatoses.
Seborrhoeic warts (for confirmation of diagnosis).
Mild/moderate childhood atopic eczema.
Skin lesions likely to be benign.
Mild/moderate acne.
Roaccutane therapy will be considered for acne of following type:
Severe acne
Acne not responding to 2 courses of systemic antibacterial (minimum 3 months each)
Acne associated with psychological problems,
Late onset acne (3rd/4th decade).
LivingCare provides an open access, community located minor surgery service which reduces the number of patients who have to attend hospital for a minor surgery procedure. All procedures are carried out by GPwSI and are supported by a fully trained nurse. Our minor surgery service is in accordance with the specification issued by NHS Leeds.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB or Fountain Medical Centre, Morley, LS27 9EN
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Community Minor Surgery - Living Care Health Services
Conditions Treated:
All general procedures and minor lesions
Injection of joints.
Treatment of sebaceous cysts and lipoma.
Excision of toe nails.
Skin lesions.
Excision skin lesions on head neck/axilla.
Carpal tunnel
Treatment of ganglions performed if there is the relevant expertise.
Procedures Performed:
Removal of skin lesions.
Joint injections.
Punch biopsies.
Wedge excision of toenails.
Exclusions:
Procedures requiring general anaesthetic.
Urgent pigmented lesions.
Facial lesions on young patients.
Cosmetic surgery.
Our community based ophthalmology service is led by consultant ophthalmologists from Leeds Teaching Hospital and provides services (to all patients over the age of 16) for a wide range of eye conditions.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB or Northgate Medical Centre, Pontefract, WF8
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Community Ophthalmology - Living Care Health Services
Conditions Treated:
External eye disease.
Watery eye.
Dry eyes.
Non acute i.e. 2 weeks floaters and flashes.
Fundal problems.
Pigmented lesions.
Retinal problems.
Dry ARMD.
Blurred vision (non neurological).
Ophthalmic opinion from optometrists.
Low vision Visual field loss.
Procedures Performed:
Automated field testing.
Excision and/or cautery of non-sinister lesion of the eyelid.
Chalazion incision and curettage.
Entropion correction.
Retropunctal cautery and punctal enlarging procedures.
Epilation of eyelashes.
Lacrimal syringing.
Lacrimal plug insertion.
Removal of corneal sutures.
Exclusions:
Children under 16 years.
Sudden loss of vision.
Strabismus/binocular diplopia.
Ocular Motility.
Neuro ophthalmology problems including squints and double vision.
Suspected malignancies.
Strong suspicion of Wet AMD.
Diabetic screening.
Urgent A&E care e.g. red eye, diplopia, acute floaters and flashes and foreign bodies.
Suspect or diagnosed keratoconus.
Motility problems
The ear, nose and throat (ENT) community service is a comprehensive and specialised department that has been developed in conjunction with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
LivingCare offer diagnosis and treatment of all types of problems and diseases of the ear, nose and throat. We have engaged a first class clinical team to treat patients, including four expertly trained consultants together with specialist ENT nursing, and audiometry support provided by the Hearing and Balance Centre at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
In addition we offer a hearing aid repair clinic every Wednesday at our new purpose built medical clinic at Thorpe Park.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Community ENT - Living Care Health Services
Conditions Treated:
All general ENT conditions for patients over 5 years old including;
Ears: Hearing problems, Infections, Balance problems
Nose: Nasal obstructions, Rhinosinusitis, Nasal deformities
Throat: Sore throat, Snoring, Lump in throat
Exclusions:
Neck lumps.
Children under 5 years old.
Acute epistaxis.
Procedures Performed:
Micro-suction clearance.
Nasal cautery.
Flexible nasal endoscopy.
Audiology/Hearing tests.
Skin prick testing.
LivingCare’s Urology and Cystoscopy diagnostic service provides a patient-friendly, high quality and efficient assessment procedure for patients presenting with haematuria and recurrent urinary tract infections.
Our service, which is consultant-led working in conjunction with GPs with special interest, enables local GPs to refer directly to our unit for a range of diagnostic tests instead of referring to local hospitals, thus avoiding long waiting-times. The unit is run in accordance with NICE guidelines and Care Quality Commission standards and is subject to regular audit and review.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB, or Fountain Medical Centre, Morley, LS27 9EN
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Community Urology Out Patients - Living Care Health Services
Procedures Performed:
Exclusions:
LivingCare’s Urology and Cystoscopy diagnostic service provides a patient-friendly, high quality and efficient assessment procedure for patients presenting with haematuria and recurrent urinary tract infections.
Our service, which is consultant-led working in conjunction with GPs with special interest, enables local GPs to refer directly to our unit for a range of diagnostic tests instead of referring to local hospitals, thus avoiding long waiting-times. The unit is run in accordance with NICE guidelines and Care Quality Commission standards and is subject to regular audit and review.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB, or Fountain Medical Centre, Morley, LS27 9EN
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Flexible Cystoscopy - Living Care Health Services
Conditions Treated:
Procedures Performed:
Exclusions:
Service Notes:
Patients will be offered a renal ultrasound examination prior to the cystoscopy appointment if appropriate.
To directly refer to this service click here.
LivingCare’s Vasectomy service provides a patient-friendly, high quality surgical procedure for permanent sterilisation in men.
Our service, which is consultant-led working in conjunction with GPs with special interest, enables local GPs to refer directly to our unit instead of referring to local hospitals, thus avoiding long waiting-times. The unit is run in accordance with NICE guidelines and Care Quality Commission standards and is subject to regular audit and review.
The service is run from Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds, LS15 8GB, or Fountain Medical Centre, Morley, LS27 9EN
The service is listed on NHS E-Referral as:
Direct Access Community Vasectomy Clinic - Living Care Health Services
Procedures Performed:
Bilateral vasectomy under local anaesthetic
Service Notes:
The patient needs to be accompanied to the appointment, driven home and observed for 24 hours.
There are lots of ways that you can get in touch with us, please choose the best method to suit your needs.
Our telephone lines are open Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm.
Please choose the appropriate option from the menu to avoid having to return to the options. Please note that the peak hours are 8am-4pm so wait times are expected during this period. If possible, try calling after 4pm when the lines are quieter.
Our online communication platforms are easy and accessible and available 24 hours a day. We aim to respond to all general enquiries within 48 working hours.
A couple of other common questions from our healthcare partners!
We know that referring into the NHS isn’t always possible which is why LivingCare offer all of our available services on a private basis too.
Your patient is guaranteed immediate access to modern, well-equipped facilities and diagnostic services – all within just one week of referral. If treatment is required, this is available without any delay.
We can see self-pay patients and also patients who have medical insurance.
If you'd like further information, please feel free to call our private telephone line: 0113 397 0981 or fill in the contact form below.
We work with GPs and commissioners to make our services available in your clinics and medical centres. Our partners can choose any combination of our services which can then be established in their local health centre. We can also liaise with other local providers of these services to ensure their integration into our centres and compatibility with local care pathways.
We work closely with local stakeholders to advise, guide and project manage the process. Our level of partnership ranges from strategic input – providing expert advice and guidance – to full involvement, with our staff directly developing and delivering the service.
For more information, please call us on our business telephone line: 0113 236 5962 or fill in the contact form below.