SaHF DMBC Volume 1 Edition 1.1.pdf - Shaping a healthier future

Figure 7.41: E&UC CIG recommended key features:
Referral and discharge key features
Referral
Discharge
UCC ability to refer to Outpatient services directly should be defined by local commissioners
and should follow locally agreed protocols (for example, the use of GP referral management
services).
In collaboration with local commissioners, the UCC Provider will be expected to agree direct
referral pathways to additional specialist services and clinics including specialist gynaecology
services, GUM and ACDU. Where an admission is required this will be made directly to the
specialty concerned. Patients will then be transferred directly to suitable admitting/
assessment units. Patients will not be referred back to the ED for diagnostics or admission.
The ability to direct book should not be used as a means to allow patients to bypass their
GPs. To prevent unequal access to services, UCC direct booking protocols should be defined
at CCG level in line with local approaches.
Patients may be referred to community based services, including general dental services,
pharmacy services, community nursing, and social and voluntary services.
The UCC will be fully integrated with the Directory of Services (e.g. via 111), both for patients
„referred in‟ to the UCC, and when referring patients into community services and General
Practice.
The Provider will issue discharge summaries to GP practices within 24 hours, providing
relevant clinical and treatment information, medication and any necessary follow-up care.
These recommendations are dependent on local CCG Strategies and may vary locally.
7.14.7 Demand management
Positive direction into primary care
Patient experience and – to a degree – clinical outcomes are contingent on the public‟s
ability to navigate the system effectively. In practice, this means that information on available
services should be made available to the public across a variety of media. Proposed
channels include:
The „111‟ telephone advice service - set up to ensure that patients are directed to a
setting appropriate to their condition. All UCC providers should ensure that the 111
service is aware of the clinical scope of UCC services and where relevant, the hours
of that availability of specific diagnostic tests (e.g. X-ray)
Web-based information – information on services hosted on NHS websites
Shaping a Healthier Future communication strategy – publication of „Local Hospital‟
and „Out of Hospital‟ factsheets. NB. A more detailed communication strategy will be
developed once a final decision on reconfiguration has been taken by the JCPCT in
February 2013, as the final shape of E&UC services has yet to be agreed.
Directing patients to the right service first time will reduce the extent to which UCCs will need
to re-direct or transfer patients.
7b. Work of the Emergency and Urgent Care CIG 163