20 July 2020

Case study : Specialist referral management service West Herts Hospitals

Proof that virtual clinics can reduce waiting lists
HSJ 20 July 2020 [Subscription required]
  • Outcomes of 3,000 patients triaged (pre- COvid) through a cloud based specialist respiratory referral management service commissioned by West Herts Hospitals and partners. Outcomes included Advice and guidance to the GP; Virtual hospital; Hospital or community clinic; Direct referral to another speciality. Impact was measured in terms of reducing unnecessary appointments and waiting times. 
  • The major challenge faced was that of an early rise in demand for investigations (over 50 per cent increase in imaging and lung function), which returned to normal and subsequently reduced six months later.