Assessing the urgency of every call
To ensure patients access the right health service for their
needs first time, we have been using a clinical decision
support system known as NHS Pathways since October 2006.
NHS
Pathways is an advanced clinical triage system that
provides us with the ability to identify the medical needs
of 999 and 111 calls so we can
direct patients to the right care, in the
right place and at the right time.
These could be, but is not limited to, an ambulance response,
advice to contact their own GP or the out of hours' doctors
service, visit the local minor injury unit or walk in centre or
home care.
This new system has assessed more than two million patients
across the North East and has improved patients' experiences
of the NHS by avoiding unnecessary delays.
The NHS as whole has also benefited through a reduction in
unnecessary ambulance journeys and in avoidable admissions to
hospital via A&E.
NHS Pathways is supported by a robust, accurate and up-to-date
directory of services.