A new GIRFT guide focusing on functional urological and urogynaecological conditions aims to help teams across primary and secondary care deliver improvements in care for patients with urinary and genital tract disorders and complex pelvic floor problems.
The guidance ‘Improving functional, reconstructive urology and urogynaecology service delivery’ is a collaboration between GIRFT, the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), the British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) and the British Association of Urological Nurses (BAUN). It seeks to support better multidisciplinary working and highlights the importance of access to specialist clinicians to jointly manage patients with more complex conditions.
It identifies good practice for the delivery of functional and reconstructive urology and a checklist of actions that can support better treatment and care, including:
- One-stop clinics for common conditions.
- Multidisciplinary clinics for more complex conditions with clear referral pathways from general to specialist units where required.
- More procedures delivered as outpatient or day surgery, reducing inpatient bed pressure and operation cancellations.
The guide promotes the benefits of earlier interventions and better-informed referrals through the use of specialist advice and guidance to GPs which can support effective management and treatment in primary care. The use of MDTs and collaboration across primary, secondary and tertiary settings, along with better education and training, are seen as key to improving outcomes and the experience of patients.
