By NHS Trust wins award for exciting outpatient transformation project
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Trust’s new innovative outpatient transformation project ‘The Connected Health Network’ has come out tops in the Forward Healthcare Awards 2021.
The project, which created a new model of care where primary and secondary care (GPs and hospitals) work together as one clinical network, was developed by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust together with Meridian Health Group.
Dr Simon Thackray, the lead cardiologist for the project, said: “This is such wonderful news to have been recognised at a national level. Everyone has worked so hard on this project, and the results speak for themselves – recognition at a national level for the innovative and integrated approach we have adopted.
“This news is a credit to all those who have persevered with the vision of ensuring we put our cardiology patients at the heart of how we provide their care. This project would not have been possible without the continued support and drive from our Meridian colleagues. It has been wonderful to showcase what we can do on a national platform.”
The new model of care allows GP’s to work directly with hospital specialists rather than having to make a hospital referral.
The specialist becomes an extended part of the GP practice/network to agree on how patient care can be safely delivered in primary care, a shared admin team helps ensure a streamlined pathway for patients.
Alex Afifi, senior project manager said: “We are now working with other Primary Care Networks in the area to roll out the project, and there are plans to extend this approach in other specialties.”
