GP Advice and Guidance Service
Our new Advice and Guidance system has been developed by the acute trust with colleagues at the CCG and in primary care. CPFT will also be joining as it is phased in.
It offers a secure on-line service where GPs can contact secondary care doctors in several clinical specialities for advice about patient care to inform treatment, avoid outpatient referral and potentially prevent hospital admission.
Feedback shows that up to the 13th February there were 473 requests for clinical advice, which resulted in 81% of these patients having their pathway altered and 100 avoiding unnecessary referrals for outpatient consultation. The service is valued by those using it and is also supporting the development of stronger links between GPs and Consultants.
A local GP said: “I have had numerous success stories – the quick, helpful advice I have received has really benefited my patients who have received quicker treatment as a result, more relevant tests, less unnecessary testing done in primary care, and numerous referrals that I would have made have not been necessary.”
We’ll keep updating you about how our system wide working is starting to make a difference to patients and our frontline staff, as well as our priorities for the year ahead.