Guidance demonstrating the core principles for establishing effective high-flow outpatient clinics (HFOCs) – plus examples of where they are working well – is now available on the GIRFT website.
HFOCs are standardised, one-stop clinics for low complexity conditions, which enable NHS teams to see a large number of patients in an efficient and time-effective way – in turn improving productivity, reducing waiting times and improving the patient and staff experience. Appointments in an HFOC will consolidate the patient’s history, examination, diagnostics and treatment (where appropriate) into a single streamlined attendance.
GIRFT’s guidance sets out a practical, evidence-based approach to designing and delivering HFOCs, by applying the principles proven in high-flow theatre lists to the outpatient pathway.
Aimed at clinicians and managers working in specialties and outpatients and outpatient transformation teams, the guidance draws on national guidance from NHS England and learning from established high-flow programmes.
The guide provides definitions, core components, specialty examples, an implementation roadmap and a checklist, which boards and services can adapt and use locally.
The core components of the model include advice for:
- referral triage and pre-clinic optimisation;
- standardised clinic templates;
- one-stop diagnostics and same-day booking;
- discharge or patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU);
- workforce configuration and skills mix;
- digital enablers and data capture; and
- linking HFOCs to elective single point of access (SPoA) and the NHS e Referral Service.
Professor Tim Briggs, GIRFT programme lead and NHS England National Director for Clinical Improvement, Elective Recovery and UEC, said:
“HFOCs are a key part of trusts’ efforts to reduce waiting lists by increasing throughput, in line with national goals for elective recovery and reducing waiting lists. By completing low-complexity cases in the most efficient way possible, clinical time is freed up to spend on the more complex cases. This means more patients – with both low and high complexity conditions – can be seen sooner and receive their diagnosis or decision on treatment earlier.”
The new guidance is the third module in GIRFT’s series of outpatient operational guides covering the skills needed to effectively manage outpatient departments. The others are:
Outpatient operational guide – Module 1 standardising outpatient clinic templates >
Outpatient operational guide – Module 2 standardising follow up >
Modules on booking and scheduling, appointment delivery, environment, digital and technology, and clinical pathways will follow.
