Hospital care is so much more than buildings and beds. Whilst we prepare our outline business case to secure funding for our physical hospital sites, we are continuing to transform how we deliver care.

Our one stop model of care is already being rolled out in many areas, providing prompt diagnosis, appropriate investigations and information to patients in a single (or the fewest possible) appointment/s. We will be able to increase the number of services that work along these lines when we make further investment to our diagnostic facilities.

An example is our fracture service where patients’ follow up appointments include seeing the orthopaedic doctor, having their plaster changed or removed as well as repeat radiology and wound checks, if needed. Patients also receive exercise advice and education at the earliest opportunity instead of waiting 10 working days for their initial physiotherapy assessment. The appointment usually takes under an hour.

Another example is allergy clinics for children, who are now reviewed by a senior clinician and, if appropriate, have their allergy testing done on the same day. At the same time their family receives all the information and training needed to manage allergic reactions, use devices and techniques, and administer medications along with any dietary advice and support.

Watch our new film on redesigning patient services to find out more about how we are working hard to transform the way we deliver care.