Work to deliver a major shift in the way outpatient care is delivered is taking place across NHS Lanarkshire.

The work is part of the national strategy ‘The Modern Outpatient: A Collaborative Approach 2017-2020’ in response to rising demand and aims to free up hospital outpatient appointments by 2020.

Graham Simpson, access planning and performance service manager, leads the Modernising Outpatients programme for NHS Lanarkshire.

Graham said: “Our outpatient services must continually evolve to meet the increasing demands they face.

“Through our Modernising Outpatients programme, we aim to ensure people get seen by the most appropriate health professional, often closer to home, and avoid unnecessary trips to hospital.”

The national strategy proposes that some patients, particularly those who are waiting for a routine check-up or test results, would be seen closer to home by a team of community healthcare professionals with close links to hospital departments. The NHS in Scotland will also make better use of e-consultations and action will be taken to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals.

As part of this work, an ‘advice-only’ referral option was introduced in neurology services – meaning GPs can request advice for their patients from hospital clinicians rather than having to refer the patient to hospital for an appointment.

Heather Knox, director of acute services, said: “There are a number of areas and clinical teams that are doing some excellent work at the moment to redesign the way they provide outpatient services.

“This work contributes to the national strategy of shifting the balance from acute to community and primary care, something that everyone agrees is vital to the future of our NHS.

“The aim is for our community and hospital professionals to work more closely together, reducing unnecessary waste in the system and getting people seen by the right professional first time around.”