Three additional templates for responding to Advice and Guidance (A&G) requests on common gynaecological conditions have been added to the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) toolkit, supporting communication between primary and secondary care clinicians to and helping to reduce unnecessary delays.
Templates for testosterone supplementation as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis and management, and heavy and painful menstrual bleeding have been added, meaning there are now 17 templates available in GIRFT’s FutureNHS workspace.
The existing templates for frequency and urgency of urination, mixed incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, and prolapse have also been updated.
A&G, also known as Specialist Advice Services or Advice and Refer, allows GPs to obtain advice from specialists in secondary care, which means patients get advice on their suspected condition more quickly than waiting to see a specialist in the outpatient department.
GIRFT brought together a working group of clinicians from across primary and secondary care to develop the customisable templates, to ensure they are helpful to both the specialists using them and the GPs receiving them.
The toolkit offers tips on making optimal use of A&G and includes colour-coded templates which allow a personalised response tailored to the patient’s presentation, with the most important information clearly highlighted and scope for local processes and requirements to be flagged.
