Primary care clinicians will be able to directly book ambulances for patients needing urgent care, as part of a new scheme run by Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby clinical commissioning group (CCG).
If a patient needs to go to hospital, but does not require an emergency ambulance response, primary care staff will be ale to book the journey.
Ambulances staffed with emergency crew will also be available for GPs to book should a patient require it for their journey to hospital.
Primary care clinicians will be able to directly book ambulances for patients needing urgent care, as part of a new scheme run by Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby clinical commissioning group (CCG).
If a patient needs to go to hospital, but does not require an emergency ambulance response, primary care staff will be ale to book the journey.
Ambulances staffed with emergency crew will also be available for GPs to book should a patient require it for their journey to hospital.
The scheme has been designed to increase capacity and reduce delays by letting GPs book alternative transport with a private ambulance company.
The CCG hopes this will ease pressure on Yorkshire Ambulance Service trust.
Dr Charles Parker, a GP and governing body member at HRW CCG said: “The aim of this new service is to improve the quality of service our patients receive, and support Yorkshire Ambulance Service in delivering further improved 999 response times to patients across the area. It also aims to reduce the inconsistency in response and ensure that every ambulance requested by a GP will receive the same skill set on every occasion which is appropriate to their patient's clinical and mobility requirements.
“The CCG will be constantly monitoring and evaluating activity during the pilot phase and speaking to clinicians and patients to see if the service provides the right additional support and an improved patient experience.”
Sarah Fatchett, managing director for 365 Response, who will be running the scheme said: “The aim of the NHS right now is to be creative, deliver great patient care and make sure resources are used in the best possible way. We are excited to be able to support HRW CCG with this brilliant innovation in ambulance care which, in turn, delivers additional support to the NHS ambulance service, enabling them to focus on critical emergency responses.”
