The Trust Patient Access Policy has been updated to reflect local and national policy for planned care. It is important that all colleagues (whether clinical or non-clinical) involved in the planned care pathway are aware of the policy and take time to familiarise themselves with the content.
The policy has been reviewed by the NHS Intensive Support Team and NHS Improvement panel, and written in conjunction with our local CCGs/GPs.
The Policy is now available on the intranet here and will also be published on the Trust public website.
Key points in the policy include:
- The Trust is committed to the use of E-Referral Service as its preferred route for referral and first appointment. (we are working towards closing to GP paper referrals from October 2018, as per the National Standard Contract)
- All referrals for a consultant appointment made to the Trust should be prioritised by a consultant or his/her clinical representative within three working days, after which they will be auto accepted (See 3.3)
- Divisional approval must be provided for changes to the master clinic templates, and a minimum of eight weeks’ notice must be provided for such changes to take effect
- A minimum of six weeks’ notice must be provided for clinic reductions and/or cancellation of clinics to be actioned
- First appointment DNAs should be referred back to the GP if the appointment offered was within reasonable timescales (See 3.9). The referral should be reviewed by the responsible clinician and the decision made whether to offer another appointment or discharge. A letter will be sent to the GP and the patient to advise of the DNA discharge. (see sample letter Appendix 3). If the patient makes contact within two weeks of the DNA, the pathway will be reopened.
- Two consecutive follow-up DNAs – the consultant should review the clinical record and make the necessary clinical decision whether or not to discharge the patient back to the GP (See 3.9.6) A letter will be sent to the GP and the patient to advise of the DNA discharge. (see sample letter Appendix 3).
- Patients who cancel two consecutive appointments (having had reasonable notice of the appointment) may be referred back to the GP unless the treating clinician has concerns that require the patient to be offered a further appointment. (See 3.10)
- All dictated letters following outpatient attendance will be transmitted electronically to GPs within 10 days of the appointment reducing to seven days by April 2018