 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Dermot Robert Gorman1, Sue Payne, Dr2, Laura Bowers, BSc3, Harden Carter1, and Peter Donnelly, MD MPH MBA FRCP2. (1) Public Health/Health Policy, Lothian NHS Board, Deaconess House, 148 Pleasance, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, +44 191 536 9000, dermot.gorman@lhb.scot.nhs.uk, (2) Lothian NHS Board, Deaconess House, 148 Pleasance, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, (3) Public Health and Health Policy, Lothian NHS Board, Deaconess House, 148 Pleasance, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Abstract: Within Scotland the National Health Service is developing Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) as a mechanism to co-ordinate care between primary, secondary and tertiary care. This is a response to a perceived weakness in the system where primary care and the hospital sector are perceived to have developed without close enough links. This results in patient journeys that can be inefficient, have unnecessary delays and be confusing for patients
The Scottish Executive has provided investment to establish demonstration pilots (such as Cancer, Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, Vascular Services and Diabetes) and national “formal” networks throughout Scotland. Guidance on developing local MCNs has been provided with MCNs being tightly defined by the Scottish Executive with 12 essential (e.g. lead clinican, public participation, evidence based practice, and annual reports) and desirable criteria incorporated in national guidance. They have a clear emphasis on patients, developing effective pathways and quality improvement with the aim of ensuring equitable provision of high quality clinically effective services nationally. A guide to MCN implementation was published in November 2002.
MCNs have the ability to deliver better quality of care for patients by providing agreed standards of care, defined referral and follow-up guidelines and care which is delivered in the appropriate setting. They can also strengthen both audit and clinical governance and enable the system to overcome shortages in specialist staff. Thus they are seen as key mechanisms for developing the NHS.
This policy initiative will be discussed in the paper and comparisons made with HMOs in the USA.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Managed Care, Public Health Policy
Related Web page: www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: NHS Lothian
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.