CHFT Outpatients is one of the largest areas in the Trust which sees more than half a million attendances each year, across a wide range of specialities, and play a vital role in the patient journey and experience of our services.

To make it easier and quicker to book and prioritise appointments, as well as manage capacity, we have started a new project using our Work Together Get Results (WTGR) principles. The project will look at creating central outpatient booking hubs which will focus on the needs of different specialities within the clinical divisions.

Operational Service Lead for Outpatients and Records, Nick Buckley, who led many of the sessions with divisions, said: “The WTGR sessions were so insightful in helping identify the real need to transform the outpatient booking process. Our colleagues do a fantastic job in tracking our patients and getting them booked in. Through bringing in central outpatient booking hubs, with a support hub at the centre, we can give our specialities and our patients a more standardised, responsive service, whilst supporting our highly skilled booking teams who hold in depth expertise in their field.”

Over the last few months, Nick, and Head of Planned Access, Kim Scholes have been out and about speaking to colleagues across divisions about the central outpatient booking hubs. The first phase of the project is due to go live in early 2026.

The medical division has been one of those who have been engaged with the process.

Medical Director, Neeraj Bhasin, said: "I think this new process will be a win for both our colleagues and our patients. For the clinical team to have a named point of contact and a dedicated team who will understand their specialty, the specific needs of that service, and vary the clinics to accommodate that, and someone they can work alongside, will be excellent. Therefore, I really hope that clinical colleagues get involved and support this.

"Most importantly, for our patients, it should mean, coming to the right clinic, to see the right clinicians, at the right time. That will help us with waiting lists, but mainly improve patient experience and outcomes. Personally, I’m excited about this change as a clinician and MD."

The project team will be out and about in the coming months to speak to each speciality about what it means for them. If you have any questions in the meantime, please speak to Nick Buckley - nicholas.buckley@cht.nhs.uk - or Kim Scholes - Kimberley.Scholes@cht.nhs.uk.

More information about the central outpatient booking hubs can be found on the intranet here.