Waiting times cut for physiotherapy and OT assessments in Nottingham thanks to triage system
Nottingham-based advanced practice physiotherapist Nathan Gunning has developed a new triage process that has cut waiting times for patients needing physiotherapy and occupational therapy (OT) assessments.
The median waiting time for patients at Nottingham CityCare – the largest provider of NHS community health services in the city – fell from 51 working days in October 2023 to 15 by March 2024. Meanwhile, the proportion of patients being seen within 30 working days increased from 33 per cent to 79.5 per cent over the same time frame.
The service received more than 23,000 referrals during the past year. Under the old system, all patient self-referrals into the service for community-based treatment for bone, muscle and soft tissues conditions went on a waiting list for assessments without triage by a clinician.
Updated self-referral processes and extra self-management resources, allow experienced clinicians to triage patients into the right pathway, with the right care at the right time.
Since the triage process was implemented, up to three patients in 10 have been able to self-manage their conditions without having to come into clinic, resulting in more capacity to see patients with more urgent needs sooner.
Adam Scott, a clinical services manager who is a physiotherapist by background, said: ‘Spending more time with the patient in the early stages, means we are able to invest more time in the patients' rehabilitation, providing them with the confidence to self-manage their condition.
‘This means, for those patients where more urgent treatment is needed, it is now being delivered sooner.’
Devoting extra time to patients’ initial assessments also means the team has introduced patient-initiated follow-ups – that is, by giving patients more information and guidance about what to expect during their care and recovery they better understand if and when they need further appointments and treatment.
Spending more time with the patient in the early stages, means we are able to invest more time in the patients' rehabilitation, providing them with the confidence to self-manage their condition [Adam Scott]
Annabel Taylor, head of clinical services, said: ‘Hard work from CityCare colleagues means waiting times for assessments have improved and we are now moving closer to locally set targets and national benchmarks after demand for care rose sharply during 2023.'
Annabel added: ‘These referrals were often not right for CityCare’s musculoskeletal physiotherapy and occupational therapy service and we had to refer them elsewhere. Now, however, our new, more detailed information gathering and discussions with patients mean we are better equipped to signpost them to the right level of care.’
Author: Ian McMillan
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