Alternative to A&E cuts admissions

AN innovative scheme has helped to reduce the number of unnecessary admissions to accident and emergency departments across Greater Manchester.

GTD Healthcare, a not-for-profit provider of primary care services across the North-West, is working alongside the North-West Ambulance Service on the “Alternative to Transfer” scheme, which led to 469 patients avoiding accident and emergency departments in December.

The scheme offers alternatives to hospital transfers by allowing paramedics to refer patients to a GTD GP, who can advise on the best course of action.

An average of 92 per cent of patients assessed in this way avoided a trip to hospital, saving time and resources for stretched A&E departments.

The scheme has proved popular with paramedics: “I have no doubt patients, A&E staff and the local NHS, benefited from patients being appropriately dealt with by the GP,” said one