Face-to-face outpatient appointments in East to go down by a third
The aim of the reduction is to increase efficiency in the region
Face-to-face appointments for outpatients are to be reduced by a third over the next two years in Hertfordshire and West Essex.
The recommendation was made in a report to clinical groups across the region on Thursday (January 27th).
As part of their strategy, the number of those referred to outpatients for future appointments will go down, instead being replaced by a 'patient initiated follow-up', where patients can decide appointments according to their needs.
In addition to this, clinics are hoping to move 25% of all its outpatient appointments online, reducing the number of people in hospital and not needing to stretch vital resources.
The overall aim according to local health chiefs in the region is to make the need for appointments work for both patients and NHS staff.
Speaking about the recommendations following the report, Beverley Flowers, Deputy CEO for Herts Valleys, West Essex and East & North Hertfordshire clinical groups said the change in policy would try to benefit as many people as possible.
“For some people with a long-term condition, this could mean that they can reduce the time they spend attending routine hospital appointments at set times, with easier access to face-to-face specialist input when it’s needed instead – when they have a flare-up of symptoms for example," she said.
“We know that for patients whose condition is stable, it is not always helpful to attend regular outpatient appointments.
“Sometimes these appointments do not result in any change to treatment plans, but they do require people to spend time and energy putting arrangements in place to attend their appointment.”