Healthcare
Maximising Capabilities and Building Resources in General Practice
Maximising Capabilities and Building Resources in General Practice
A medical practice with three surgeries in Hampshire, worked with Develop Consulting to manage patients presenting symptoms such as palpitations in primary, rather than secondary care.
A high percentage of referrals were discharged with nil signification. Despite there being three GPs with specialism in cardiology, there was a lack of equipment and only one of the surgeries had 24 hour monitoring capabilities.
Results
- Dramatic change in mindset from individual practice to the whole population and patient priority
- A collaborative attitude provided to access specialist cardiology knowledge
- Motivated, engaged and empowered staff
- ⅓ predicted reduction in patients unnecessarily referred to secondary care
- 10 hours predicted reduction in HCA time using equipment per annum
- Better patient experience and quicker diagnosis
- Greater sharing of resources
Observations
- A high number of referrals had been discharged with nil signification
Objectives
- To work directly with the three GPs and the Quality manager at Develop Consulting to maximise capabilities
- To improve the percentage of success rate for when secondary care was appropriate
Actions
- Drew a detailed driver diagram to depict the aims of the process and pathways needed to achieve them
- Implement new ways of working and reminding staff of the importance of a collective approach to problem-solving
- Designed a Standardised Operational Procedure for patient advice, equipment use and data recording
- Create a robust EMIS template and internal referral process
- Introducing a new virtual payment scheme in line with Covid-19 guidelines for patients using equipment
