When Consultant Connect first started providing rapid Telephone Advice & Guidance (A&G) to the NHS it was just GPs that used the service to speak to specialists. We are now providing access to a wider range of medics and community healthcare providers such as; Paramedics, Nurses, Pharmacists, Nurse Prescribers, Mental Health Clinicians, and Social Workers. Why? Telephone Advice & Guidance from Consultant Connect solves the difficulty of speaking to the right person when timely advice is really needed – especially if a patient’s needs are complex.
Clinicians use the Consultant Connect App or a unique Dial-in Number to speak to specialist clinicians for pre-referral advice and guidance over the telephone. Calls are answered by a rota of specialists in under 30 seconds (UK average).
- Used in over half the NHS across England, Scotland and Wales, covering over 42 million patients.
- 70% of calls avoid hospital visits in elective care, and 52% of calls avoid hospital visits in urgent care.
- Easy to set-up and use with benefits from day one – no hardware or training required.
- Reduces referrals and admissions for whole-system efficiencies – patients receive the right care, first time.
- Enjoy world-class support – our team handles set-up, communication and on-going engagement with clinicians, specialists and other stakeholders.
Why do clinicians and patients like it?
Why do commissioners like it?
How it works
Primary care clinicians can also earn CPD credits when they use the Consultant Connect App for Advice & Guidance. Click to find out more.
Everything you need to know – in a few minutes…
Clinicians explain why immediate phone advice works for them
Phone A&G in action – Urgent Care
Consultant Connect in NHSE handbooks
Did you know Consultant Connect has been included in the NHS England’s Elective Care Transformation Team handbooks for gastro, dermatology and diabetes handbooks? Proof that Advice & Guidance works!
Phone Advice & Guidance Case Studies
Photo messaging advice aids faster answers for child with unusual birthmark
The launch of Enhanced Advice & Guidance across NHS Greater Manchester has given clinicians in all 10 localities rapid access to a wide range of elective care specialties.
Breaking the cycle of unnecessary hospital transfers for falls patients
Consultant Connect is helping community rehabilitation nurses in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board access rapid senior clinical advice for falls patients, supporting safe decision-making and avoiding unnecessary transfers to A&E.
How rapid access to the Flow Centre aided direct admission for a patient with red flag symptoms
We spoke with Dr Jenny Jones, Locum GP, and Dr Emily Kingham, GP in Powys, to find out how access to Consultant Connect supports them in their day-to-day roles – from documenting patient presentations and seeking specialist advice, to quickly contacting the right service when a patient needs a hospital admission.
Real-time ENT advice supports urgent treatment for patient with neck swelling
We spoke to Debbie Brewer, Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Weymouth Urgent Treatment Centre and Dr Moneeb Afiz, GP in Bolton and Bury, about how rapid access to specialist advice is helping clinicians make confident decisions, reduce delays, and provide patients with the right care the first time.
Contact us
For more information about how we work with commissioners, hospitals and mental health trusts to improve patient care, please get in touch.
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