Out of Hospital and Planned Care Services

St Helen’s CCG had a requirement to establish Out of Hospital and Planned Care Strategies. In-Form Solutions had previously evaluated St Helen’s CCG’s community clinics, together with its triage service, and all findings and recommendations had been accepted by the Finance and Performance, and Quality Committees. Following this success, the CCG secured the team to provide the required support for their Out of Hospital and Planned Care strategies. The strategies involved further development of telemedicine services, the planning, establishment and successful implementation of the Referral Management System, as well as enhancing the community clinic and triage services.

Our team established, chaired and undertook numerous steering group meetings with key project and action plans, as well as working with senior managers, clinicians and stakeholders. We also supported the negotiation of a number of external contracts. A new set of performance management tools and reporting processes were established and our team also supported the development of a regional dermatology strategy and introduced new models of care.

The key activities and outputs include:

• Supporting with the development and implementation of its QIPP Programme.
• Supporting with planned care and deep dives of specific specialties.
• Undertaking a number of service evaluations.
• Developing and enhancing new community clinics and services by engaging with both clinicians and service providers.
• Chairing numerous Steering Group Meetings.
• Supporting the commissioning and contracting process.

The outcomes of the work have been significant. The performance management tools have helped the CCG to improve its clinical outcomes, value for money and productivity considerably. Additionally, and most importantly, patients have access to frequent localised services with improved waiting times.