Thousands of patients treated through virtual A&E
service.
New Health Secretary visited Queen Elizabeth
University Hospital in Glasgow to meet staff working to ensure
patients get access to the right treatment as quickly as
possible.
In his first visit as Health Secretary, Mr Gray met frontline
staff in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Flow Navigation Centre
(FNC) – a virtual A&E service which directs people to the
most appropriate care and helps patient flow throughout hospital
wards.
Figures published by NHS GGC show that of the 20,000 calls put
through the virtual service last year, only 16% actually required
referral to a physical A&E. The remainder were given
appointments at minor injuries units, referred to other services
or given advice that meant they did not need to attend hospital.
Mr Gray also visited the hospital’s Major Trauma unit, one of
four such units throughout Scotland.
Mr Gray said:
“I was pleased to meet staff working in the Flow Navigation
Centre and see first-hand how work is progressing with the
hospital’s virtual A&E. The service plays a crucial role in
directing people to the most appropriate care and is just one of
the ways the NHS is modernising to meet the needs of the people
of Scotland.
“By preventing unnecessary physical A&E attendances, patients
can be better dealt with by other parts of the health service.
This incredible work from the team at Glasgow is helping to
reduce pressure on the front door of the emergency department,
while ensuring people get the right treatment at the right time.
“I am clear that we need to see reform and innovation right
across the health service and NHS GGC’s FNC is a perfect example
of how we can improve productivity and also improve patient
outcomes. Optimisation of Flow Navigation Centres is a key part
of our Urgent and Unscheduled Care Programme which aims to
improve patient flow and reduce A&E delays.”
Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services at
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:
“The virtual A&E is one of a number of virtual pathways which
are helping our patients get seen and treated faster.
“While pressure on our hospital sites remains at an all-time
high, enabling thousands of patients to be treated away from
physical A&E departments has made a significant impact on the
front-door at our hospitals and will continue to play a crucial
role in the way we deliver healthcare going forward.
“We’d urge any patient who thinks they need to come to A&E to
consider using this service, among other urgent care provisions
such as pharmacies, GPs, and the NHS Inform website.”
