Modernization in GUM/HIV services: what does it mean?
Genitourinary medicine services are expected to modernize in order to meet the needs of the NHS in the 21st century. Although increased funding is essential, there is a need for services to look at new ways of delivering care in order to deal with the increasing rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV in the community. This must include a review of skill-mix and roles. Some changes may appear to lower the quality of service. There must be auditing of changes to ensure that standards are not lowered. A short-lived working group was put together at the request of the RCP joint specialty committee for GUM consisting of representatives from diverse GUM clinics which have all been involved in extensive modernization of their service in order to meet demand. This report does not hold all the answers but provides suggestions for clinics wishing to initiate change. Changes must be appropriate to the local population and access pressures. More extreme measures may only be appropriate in the most severely stretched clinics and with consideration of measuring outcomes.
Robinson
Angela J
AJ
Department of GU Medicine, Mortimer Market Centre, Capper Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK. arobinson@gum.ucl.ac.uk
Rogstad
Karen
K
D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006285:Health Planning; D006291:Health Policy; D006295:Health Resources; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006113:United Kingdom