Dr Foster Intelligence | Case studies

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Success stories

The only thing that will allow us to improve patient care and the health service is reliable, timely information

Amanda Sayer Practice manager

The future for primary care

With the introduction of practice-based commissioning, the Lighthouse Surgery knew it had a great opportunity to improve the quality of patient care and save money at the same time. It is now using the Dr Foster Intelligence Practice Based Commissioning tool to look at who it is referring to hospital, where, when, what for and at what cost. This has highlighted areas where it could reduce the number of referrals by setting up specialist clinics in its practice.

[more info] Dermatology outpatient appointments trended by month.

Solution

Practice manager Amanda Sayer says, "We're focusing on high-cost patients and looking at whether they can be treated better within the practice or community. For example, testing for and treating high cholesterol is simple. At the moment, it costs us £268 to send a patient to the hospital for that treatment, but bringing it in-house will dramatically reduce the cost."

By examining its procedures and costs, and comparing them with other Trusts and hospitals, Lighthouse Surgery was able to identify procedures that could be carried out more cost-efficiently in the community or at the practice itself.

Dr Simon Eyre, a GP at the practice, says, "The historical view is that hospital care is best and there is a perception that hospital doctors are better qualified than practice doctors. In fact, GPs are highly qualified, and surely it is more efficient to have the same doctor treating a patient? If people and patients can be better managed in primary care, it has to be better and more convenient for both the practice and the patient."

[more info] The Lighthouse Surgery are using PBC to identify areas where they could reduce the number of hospital referrals by setting up specialist clinics in practice. Cardiology, for example, is an area where they are seeing an escalating number of appointments, which they are hoping to curb.

Outcome

A more cohesive procedure pathway has made medical conditions easier to manage for patients, as they no longer have to travel as far or consult unknown practitioners.

Walter James suffered from lower back pain, which used to mean regular hospital check-ups. "I used to go to hospital about every four months or so. Now, all I need to do is go to my local GP practice, which is much easier and more convenient. Patients like me want to see the same medical staff continuously, and being treated in my practice by my GP is far better than having to travel to my nearest hospital."

Amanda Sayer adds, "The only thing that will allow us to improve patient care and the health service is reliable, timely information."

Tool

Practice and Provider Monitor