HSJ Awards 2014: Acute Sector Innovation

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and QuEST, Scottish Government – Virtual fracture clinic redesign programme

The judges said: The new model has delivered demonstrable operational, productivity and financial gains. The team is also working hard to disseminate the learning from its innovation.

A patient-focused “virtual clinic” service at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Stobhill Minor Injuries Unit has freed up time for consultants and led to patient satisfaction.

In April 2014 a seven days a week virtual fracture clinic was in place for all emergency patients who could be allowed home but required a specialist orthopaedic opinion.

Virtual review triages appropriate patients to sub-specialty fracture clinics or discharges them with advice and a helpline number. All triaged patients are telephoned by a senior nurse on the day of review.

The system cut the number of breaches of the four-hour waiting target in the emergency department by 60 per cent for orthopaedic patients. New fracture clinic attendances reduced by the same proportion.

Of 929 surveyed patients, 87 per cent reported satisfaction with their outcome and 89 per cent with the information provided. Three consultants have been able to pick up new clinics, while two have developed a hip and knee school for patients undergoing arthroplasty.

Over 60 hospitals have been in direct contact with the Royal Infirmary team regarding this innovation.

Other finalists’ programmes:

• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust - The proactive elderly care team;
• Portsmouth Hospitals Trust - Innovating diabetes care within acute tusts;
• Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust - Creation of a trust-owned outpatient pharmacy company to improve the quality of patient services;
• Burton Hospitals Foundation Trust - New SKINS tool to cut pressure ulcer risk;
• Derby Hospitals Foundation Trust - Preventative support and responsive acute care meets the needs of the aging community;
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust with CHS Healthcare - Hospital discharge support service for home of choice patients;
• Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust - LEAN/Six Sigma in mental health adult acute inpatient service;
• North Bristol Trust - Compliance aid dispensing by the use of a third party dispensing partnership;
• North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group - Short stay paediatric assessment and observation unit in A&E and
• The Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust - Patient Voice in Innovation: “It’s not my job”.