Telephone Advice & Guidance in Salford

We spoke with Dr Suzannah Carrier, a GP in Salford, to find out how the use of Consultant Connect’s Telephone Advice & Guidance (A&G) service has affected her ways of working.
Hospital Avoidance - Silver Triage

‘Specialists give us precise advice with certainty, and I don’t feel concerned about the possibility of referring a patient unnecessarily or to the incorrect specialty. Overall, speaking with specialists speeds up my day and greatly benefits the patients.’

Telephone Advice & Guidance in Salford

We spoke with Dr Suzannah Carrier, a GP in Salford, to find out how the use of Consultant Connect’s Telephone Advice & Guidance service has affected her ways of working.

 

What do you like the most about Consultant Connect?

‘The ease of having quick access to advice, without the need to wait on hold via switchboard. It’s like having specialist advice at your fingertips. If a specialist is not available to answer, there are other specialists that the system automatically diverts the call to, which saves time in comparison to being directed back to switchboard.

When I have needed support with the service, I have contacted the Consultant Connect team for support using the app. Within minutes, someone from the team called me to discuss the matter further. It’s reassuring to know that issues or queries are picked up by the team almost immediately.’

 

How did you get specialist advice before using Telephone Advice & Guidance via Consultant Connect?

‘I would request advice by writing a letter, or if the query was more urgent, I would try and speak to the clinician on call for that specialty. Waiting for a response from letters seeking advice can take weeks, and the process of waiting on the phone via switchboard for a clinician to be bleeped is time-consuming and often frustrating. Telephone Advice & Guidance, via Consultant Connect, is a much faster and easier method of obtaining advice.’

 

Are there any examples of when you’ve used Telephone Advice & Guidance that have helped you ensure better care for your patient?

‘General Medicine is a specialty I use frequently, and recently I sought Advice & Guidance from a consultant via this line regarding a patient whom I suspected had rhabdomyolysis. The patient presented fit and well; he had previously undertaken intense exercise and was passing dark urine. I took his bloods late on a Friday afternoon, but I was worried about the patient not being seen until after the weekend. After speaking with the consultant, they were able to alert the senior housing officer to chase the blood results, and this resulted in the patient being admitted later that evening.

 

‘It was a really effective way of preventing the patient from being sent to wait in A&E, which relieves pressure on ED. The patient was grateful for this and the fact that the communication between Primary and Secondary Care was positive and cohesive. The conversation was a good example of working together to ensure the smoothest journey for the patient.

 

‘On one occasion, I used Consultant Connect to send images of a patient’s rash to the Dermatology team. After reviewing the images, the team booked the patient into the emergency clinic. The patient avoided a lengthy wait in A&E, and I was reassured that they would not be on a routine waiting list. This enhanced access is so helpful when we, as GPs, are at the end of the line of what we can offer.

 

What has your communication with Secondary Care been like?

‘Positive; specialists give us precise advice with certainty, and I don’t feel concerned about the possibility of referring a patient unnecessarily or to the incorrect specialty. Overall, speaking with specialists speeds up my day and greatly benefits the patients.’

 

Click here to view and download a PDF version of this case study.

If you have any questions about this service, please get in touch on 01865 261467 or at hello@consultantconnect.org.uk.

Related case studies

Telephone Advice & Guidance in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB

Telephone Advice & Guidance in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB

We spoke with two GPs who use Telephone Advice & Guidance in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB to find out how this benefits their roles.

How GPs in North Central London ICB are seeking Advice & Guidance

How GPs in North Central London ICB are seeking Advice & Guidance

Drs John Gubbay and Karen Grossmark share their experiences of using Enhanced Advice & Guidance provided by Consultant Connect in North Central London ICB.

Enhanced Advice & Guidance in Birmingham and Solihull ICB

Enhanced Advice & Guidance in Birmingham and Solihull ICB

We spoke with Dr Emamoke Ubogu, a Senior GP Partner and GP Trainer at Swan Medical Centre in Yardley, about Enhanced Advice & Guidance.

Milton Keynes area case study: PhotoSAF and Telephone Advice & Guidance

Milton Keynes area case study: PhotoSAF and Telephone Advice & Guidance

An Advanced Paramedic Practitioner and a GP in Milton Keynes describe how they safely use their mobiles to take IG-secure clinical photos and make calls in both a surgery setting and when visiting patients at home.

- Consultant Connect

Contact us

For more information about how we work with commissioners, hospitals and mental health trusts to improve patient care, please get in touch.

- Consultant Connect

Join a webinar

Listen to health experts from the comfort of your desk as we bring the experts to you in our series of online webinars.

- Consultant Connect

Join our mailing list

Join our mailing list and we'll keep you informed of our latest blogs, project news, and upcoming webinar dates and topics.

Contact us

Permissions

You can view our Terms & Conditions here.

Most Read Articles

Suspected Head & Neck Cancer Messaging service

The Suspected Head & Neck Cancer messaging service was launched in May 2023 to all clinicians in North Central London ICB. We caught up with the Lead Head & Neck and Thyroid Clinical Nurse Specialist who manages the line, and a GP who used the line to find out more.

read more
Transforming the care of older people

Advances in healthcare mean more of us are living longer, and, in recognition of the International Day of Older People, we’re showcasing how we support clinicians in providing the best care for these patients.

read more