NHS cardiology project shortlisted for award
National leaders have shortlisted a cardiology project run by the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust for an award.
The National Health Service’s trust, partnered with the Meridian Health Group, developed the Connected Health Network cardiology pilot, a new model of care that allows GPs and hospitals to work together under a single clinical network.
This model erases the need for GPs to make referrals to hospitals and instead allows them to work directly with the hospital specialist to decide on a patient’s treatment.
The project has now been put forward as a finalist in the Forward Healthcare Awards 2021 under the ‘early-stage pilot or early adopter of the year’ category.
The lead cardiologist for the pilot, Dr Simon Thackray, said: “Everyone who has worked so hard on this project [is] delighted to have been shortlisted for a national award.
“When the idea was born for this new way of working, we wanted to make sure we put the patient at the heart of how we provide their care and this new model does exactly that.
“For a lot of patients, they don’t want to have to make multiple visits to hospital, especially with the advent of Covid-19.”
He added: “It is a win-win for the patient, as well as the GP, as they have access to specialist advice to support in providing ongoing care.
“If they need specialist diagnostics, or to see a specialist, they can arrange that quickly and efficiently.”
The pilot has treated 633 patients between July 2020 and May 2021.
Plans for the project to expand to other primary care networks is underway and may also be developed across other specialists.
With all the work, stress and patience that the NHS has been through during the pandemic, the trust and national leaders alike are hopeful that they will win the award for their progressive pilot.
The results will be revealed later this month.
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