Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Further Faster programmes, rolled out across all NHS trusts in England, support them in reducing the number of patients waiting over a year for their appointments.
The key challenge to deliver the various best practice tasks set out remains local clinical capacity.
Further Faster: Ear Nose and Throat
Some of the clinical tasks highlighted in the E.N.T handbook, particularly in the Pre-Appointment good practice checklist, lend themselves to being done remotely- in the short- or long-term:
Our service brings in E.N.T NHS consultants from our National Consultant Network (NCN). They clinically triage referrals which means they identify correct pathways, reduce clinical risk by prioritising urgencies and write up management plans when returning referrals to primary care where appropriate. The NCN consultants follow local pathway guidance and work under the leadership of the local clinical lead. The entire administration is handled by us, with no disruption to local flows.
Consultants triage long waiter lists and new referrals as they come in on an ongoing basis, without any long-term commitments needed. When the local staffing situation changes, the service can be switched off with 72 hours’ notice. Mobilisation is fast, meaning projects can launch in as little as a week from sign off.
Over 10,000 E.N.T referrals have been reviewed through the service to date:
- 37% of referrals were safely removed from the waiting list, of which 29% were returned to primary care with a management plan, 7% were redirected to another service, and 1% were booked into diagnostics.
- The remaining 63% of referrals were directed to the right place first time, with 68% booked into a routine outpatient appointment (38% without additional diagnostics needed, 20% with diagnostics needed) and 5% accepted for an urgent appointment.
ENT NHS consultants triaging referrals through the service comment:
‘This is healthcare for modern times. Marrying one’s clinical skills with digital platforms to help patients receive care faster and from the right place. It is immensely gratifying to be a part of this.’ Dr Sonna Ifeacho
‘I am a substantive ENT Consultant and Head of Department, with 23 years of experience triaging referrals. Directing referrals to the appropriate clinic, upgrading or downgrading referrals and offering advice and guidance ensures that the patient is in the right place first time. It makes best use of finite resources, maximises treatment in primary care and avoids waste.’ Dr Andrew Coatesworth
For more information:
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how our Referral Triage and Validation service or the National Consultant Network can support your area, email: hello@consultantconnect.org.uk or call us: 01865 261 467.
Related materials:
