A study of short-stay emergencies
A study of short-stay emergency admissions points to dark compromises in A&E departments.
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Referral management: don’t second-guess GPs
A good report from the King's Fund says that referral management centres don't work, but review and audit of GP referral practice does.
What is it with outpatients?
True stories from an outpatient clinic. A deep breath. And a few suggestions.
The EWTD and booking patients
Doctor time is more precious than ever, and it makes no sense to waste it in under-utilised clinics.
Service Reconfiguration rules: too many cooks
The straightforward tests for service reconfiguration are welcome. The process for applying them is not.
Any Willing Provider: still the future
Plus ca change... the latest guidance on NHS commissioning only goes half-way to opening up GP commissioning.
The NHS White Paper
Rob Findlay welcomes the White Paper, and puts a spotlight on the obstacles ahead of it.
A cheaper way to cut waiting times
Video clips show how better scheduling can dramatically cut maximum waiting times. The gain is equivalent to cutting 25% off the size of the waiting list.
The 18-week target
The 18-week target is not dead, but it is weakened. And the new performance monitoring regime betrays a lack of understanding of waiting list dynamics.
Referral to treatment: one lump or three?
When modelling referral-to-treatment waiting times, it is better to model each stage separately (outpatient, diagnostic, inpatient or daycase).