The Referral Support Services (RSS), as part of the wider Patient Contact Hub, focusses on equitable and fair choice being offered to all patients across all services.  Embracing the use of technology enables the services to continue growing and moving forward.

In year 2023/24, 60,829 referrals were received by the RSS team across all clinical pathways.  Of those triaged to primary care, each received a minimum of 6 choices.  Those triaged to primary care were all given a variety of choices; as were all patients transferred from UHL into the community.

Patient Care Locally has established a new, web-based platform – the Local Vaccination Finder – which allows patients to chose the best location for them, at which to receive their Covid 19 and ‘Flu vaccinations.

The RSS is currently working alongside Patients Plus Limited, who develop technology-based solutions for efficiently managing patient care services.  One such solution currently being trialled allows the RSS to offer patient choice digitally rather than via telephone and is intended to extend the selection of healthcare providers on offer.