Contacts
Contact:
Rosemary Martin
Team Managers East Berkshire Macmillan Team & End of life lead
Organisation:
Berkshire East PCTMacmillan Team
King Edwards VII Hospital St Leonard’s Rd Windsor Berkshire SL4 3DP United Kingdom
Tel:
01753 860441 Ext 6137
Email:
Contact:
Sue Duncan
Nursing Director
Organisation:
Thames Hospicecare
Pine Lodge Hatch Lane Windsor Berkshire SL4 3RW United Kingdom
Tel:
08456 128812
Email:
Website:
Contact:
Susi Lund
Team Managers East Berkshire Macmillan Team & End of life lead
Organisation:
Berkshire East PCTMacmillan Team
King Edwards VII Hospital St Leonard’s Rd Windsor Berkshire SL4 3DP United Kingdom
Tel:
01753 860441
Email:
Case study:
16 August 2007
Cross-organisational single point of referral for specialist palliative care services in Berkshire East PCT
Key points
- A single cross-organisational referral point for palliative care patients was set up after complaints that the referral process was complex and confusing
- The new system has improved coordination and is popular with clients.
Berkshire East PCT has helped institute a single referral point for all palliative care patients in the area following concerns that the referral process was complex and confusing.
The streamlined process, which has been operating for the last three years, has improved cross-organisational work and prevented duplication of services.
It has also had a positive evaluation from service users.
The East Berkshire Macmillan Palliative Care Team, an NHS integrated hospital and community team, and Thames Hospicecare (THc), which is voluntary, offer specialist palliative care to patients in East Berkshire*.
However, feedback from clients and health professionals highlighted growing concerns that the process of referral to the different palliative care services in the east of the county was complex and could be confusing.
As a result it was decided to develop and implement a single referral point to ensure all patients had equal and rapid access to the appropriate specialist palliative care services.
Both organisations were already using Multicare, a palliative care specific database.
In order to implement the single point of referral Thames Hospicecare was connected to the NHS net and Multicare was run through a remote server, enabling both organisations to access and share data.
Connection to NHS net has enabled THc as an independent voluntary organisation to access information that assists in the management of patient care pathways, working in partnership with NHS colleagues. This has ensured safe – and confidential – transfer of data.
All referrals are jointly reviewed three times a week.When referrals are for multiple agencies the allocation meeting decides who will make the initial contact.
Information will then be shared within the referral system.
A duty officer is also available to assess referrals, find out further information if required and respond to urgent issues such as symptom control before the allocation.
- THc offers its service in other adjoining counties
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