Making connections with the challenges of unscheduled care

This publication from NHS improvement shares the issues, the outcomes and identifies some tried and tested solutions that can ease the burden of unscheduled care.

What should I expect from assessment and diagnosis of COPD?

This booklet is one of four guides from the Lung Foundation and NHS improvement explaining what people with breathing problems can expect from aspects of their care

Patients have a right to the same standard of care seven days a week

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ Seven Day Consultant Present Care standards say that patients in hospital should be reviewed by a consultant at least once every 24 hours, including weekends and bank holidays, unless there are good reasons for them to not to have a daily review.

New Pathway

NHS Improvement has published a new interactive COPD pathway.

A narrative for person-centred, coordinated (‘integrated’) care

This report from the NHS Commissioning Board describes integrated care which is centred around the whole person,  co-ordinated around the needs of patients, families and carers and  feels more joined up to the individual.

NHS Commissioning Board consults on specialised services

All patients requiring treatment from a specialised service are to have access to the same standard of service and the same clinical policy wherever they live. 

NHS should offer early pregnancy services seven days a week

NICE says that early pregnancy assessment services should be made available seven days a week to ensure that women receive a timely diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and are offered care and support during a miscarriage.

Developing operational delivery networks

The NHS Commissioning Board have announced the introduction Operational delivery networks (ODNs) will cover areas such as neonatal intensive care, adult critical care, burns and trauma and are focused on coordinating patient pathways between providers over a wide area to ensure access to specialist support and expertise.

Making integrated out of hospital care a reality

This report from the NHS Confederation discusses the foundations for integrated care for adults, children and young people, with a focus on implementing out of hospital care, and connecting primary, community and social care.