Three into one is working well for our cardiology patients – and won the Rapid Access Team a Four Pillars Award.

The team has redrawn the pathway to reduce the time to diagnosis for our patients and also improved clinical outcomes.

Previously patients were referred as a routine referral with suspected Arrhythmia and could be seen by any Cardiologist (within the normal waiting times of 10 weeks).

They would then need to return to have their ECHO, return again for a follow up with theConsultant and then again for a consultation with the specialist nurse.

This meant the patient had to come back to the hospital on at least three occasions, and the pathway took a long time to diagnose the patient and put a management plan in place.

The new one-stop model provides an approach where patients will attend, have their ECHO, see the specialist nurse and see the consultant all in one appointment. The waiting time is 2-4 weeks and the consultant supporting the clinic is an Arrhythmia expert.

As a result patient outcomes are improved as the patients’ pathway is quicker to diagnosis, and they can start their management plan sooner. The wait times are reduced which further improves the pathway and they are seen by a specialist in Arrhythmia. The patient experience is also improved as the patients don't need to repeatedly attend the hospital and experience the full service in a one stop setting.

Among the judges’ comments: “ What struck me most about this nomination is the camaraderie between doctors and nurses to work together to get results for the patients.”