The RCP and the Getting It Right First Time programme (GIRFT) have published a statement which sets out how best to support patients who present with emergency and urgent medical care needs.
This statement aims to help teams and individuals address day to day pressures in the clinical environment as the NHS manages increased pressure on emergency and urgent care services. It sets out a series of recommendations while acknowledging the differing experiences faced by organisations and their subsequent ability to make changes.
The statement has been developed by experts in the field as part of the RCP/GIRFT Clinical Pathway Improvement Group.
Joint national clinical lead for GIRFT (cardiology) and clinical vice president of the RCP, Dr Sarah Clarke said, “As the front door to our hospitals gets busier it’s crucial that we support clinicians who work in emergency and urgent care to ensure timely decision making and onward care for our patients. I hope that the recommendations outlined will support organisations to make improvements which will positively impact patient care.”
Recommendations from the statement focus on key areas such as:
- Rapid access to a senior decision maker for specialty advice and assessment
- Ward-based care beyond acute medical units
- Virtual wards
Read the full statement here.
