NHS Lanarkshire is taking the lead in transforming how unscheduled care is managed, amidst the winter pressures faced by hospitals across the UK. The health board is urging the public to seek care through appropriate channels and rely on the expertise of a highly skilled team working diligently behind the scenes to provide support during critical moments in people’s lives.
Based in a cutting-edge control centre at NHS Lanarkshire HQ in Bothwell, the Flow Navigation Centre+Plus (FNC+Plus) is comprised of nurses, emergency consultants, ambulance staff, and support personnel. This multi-skilled team, operational 24/7 all year round, aims to deliver quicker responses, reduce hospital stays, and facilitate care at home or closer to home whenever feasible. Thousands of patients have already reaped the benefits of this service.
Trudi Marshall, NHS Lanarkshire’s interface director, emphasised the importance of public cooperation for the system to function optimally. Patients are encouraged to follow the correct care pathways from the outset to ensure the smooth operation of the service. The Winter Health Hub has been launched by NHS Lanarkshire to guide individuals on various healthcare options during the seasonal illnesses.
The FNC+Plus team manages around 7000 calls monthly from sources like NHS 24, GPs, and the Scottish Ambulance Service, coordinating care efficiently by directing patients to the most suitable services, such as Hospital at Home, community respiratory care, and mental health services. The centre handled over 30,000 calls in the first 19 weeks of the year, directing almost 5000 patients to alternative supports, thereby averting hospital visits.
Professor Jann Gardner, NHS Lanarkshire’s chief executive, expressed the board’s commitment to providing exceptional care and innovating to meet patients’ needs effectively. The FNC+Plus service symbolises this dedication and marks the beginning of a broader transformation in healthcare delivery. By utilising cutting-edge technology and harnessing the expertise of their workforce, NHS Lanarkshire is striving to create a responsive and revolutionary healthcare system.
In summary, NHS Lanarkshire’s proactive approach to unscheduled care management through the FNC+Plus team highlights the importance of public cooperation and the potential for transformative healthcare delivery. By leveraging technology and skilled professionals, the health board is aiming to provide faster, more efficient care to patients during critical moments in their lives.