There was an example of partnership engagement at its best as NHS Lanarkshire, NHS 24 and the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) met this week to discuss collaborative working.
At our Kirklands HQ, Professor Jann Gardner, NHS Lanarkshire Chief Executive, and NHS Lanarkshire Board Chair Martin Hill welcomed colleagues from NHS Lanarkshire and senior leaders from the two other health boards, including: SAS Chair Tom Steele; SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson; NHS 24 Chair Dr Martin Cheyne; and NHS 24 Chief Executive Jim Miller.
They heard about each other’s current service improvement plans and how all three organisations can link to provide the best care for patients and the most efficient workflow for staff.
With the support of Kirsty Orr, our Head of Planning and Performance, NHS Lanarkshire Interface Director Trudi Marshall gave an informative presentation on our drive for transformation and reform.
It included Operation FLOW part 3 and our new Interface Division, which oversees our innovative Flow Navigation Centre Plus (FNC+Plus), the team supporting patients who need urgent or unscheduled care to be directed to the most appropriate service for their condition, so they receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
The meeting also heard about our new Target Operating Model for our “front door” services (eg emergency department attendances) and “back door” – patient discharges with, if needed, appropriate community care at home or in a homely setting.
Dr Julie Ronald, NHS 24 Associate Medical Director, spoke about: the organisation’s patient journey process; current Flow Navigation Centre activity internally and nationally; and their next steps towards innovative change.
SAS colleagues led the discussion on feedback before the group spoke about the next steps to achieve their joint goals.
Many thanks to the other attendees not mentioned above: Russell Coulthard, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Acute Services; Eddie Docherty, Executive Nurse Director, NHS Lanarkshire; Joanne Edwards, Director of Service Delivery, NHS 24; Martin Esposito, Consultant Paramedic, Scottish Ambulance Service; David Robertson, Regional Director West, Scottish Ambulance Service.
