Can direct patient referral help the NHS modernisation agenda?
Patient referral systems have a direct impact on the patient experience: reducing unnecessary delays and stages relieves a great deal of anxiety. The NHS benefits from more efficient systems, which ease workload and reduce costs. This paper describes a nurse-to-nurse referral project set up by NHS Direct in one area, working with representatives from the local health economy.
Thompson
Stuart
S
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS Direct.
Winter
Richard
R
D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015277:Hotlines / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom