East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has introduced a cutting-edge assessment tool across its Urgent Treatment Centres and Minor Injuries Unit, enabling patients to receive faster, more accurate care.
In a significant effort to enhance patient care and reduce wait times, the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, Burnley General Teaching Hospital, and Accrington Victoria Hospital have implemented the Initial Assessment Tool, a new face-to-face evaluation system designed to streamline patient care. Developed in collaboration with NHS England and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, this tool is currently being trialled at the Urgent Treatment Centres at Blackburn and Burnley, and the Minor Injuries Unit at Accrington.
On arrival, patients aged five and over who self-present are now greeted with an e-assessment process via iPads stationed at the entrance. This quick and intuitive digital check-in allows patients to answer a series of clinical questions. If the patient is not allocated an appointment with ours or an alternative service, they will be assessed within minutes by the acuity nurse located in the waiting room. The face-to-face assessment enables the acuity nurse to make a quick decision on whether the patient needs immediate care, a second assessment, a later appointment, a referral to an alternative service outside of the hospital or back to their GP.
“We are seeing more and more patients coming through the doors at A&E, leading to longer wait times and frustration for our patients. This is not the level of care any of us want to provide,” says Mrs Georgina Robertson, Clinical Director and Consultant in Emergency Medicine.
“The Initial Assessment Tool helps us identify the sickest patients immediately, allowing us to direct patients to other appropriate services more effectively. Having a nurse on hand in the waiting room also ensures that any sudden changes in a patient's condition are quickly identified.”
Since its phased introduction—first in Burnley in March, followed by Blackburn in April, and Accrington in June—the new tool has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients.
“The feedback received from patients has been positive,” said Sarah Johns, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen who has been speaking to patients in the Urgent Treatment Centres at Blackburn and Burnley about the new process. “Patients are seeing a difference in waiting times and noticing that people who need help most are being prioritised.”
The results speak for themselves. In just a few months, the Initial Assessment Tool has led to a significant reduction in waiting times and has helped streamline the patient flow.
Georgina adds, “Our aim is to make sure every patient gets the right care for their needs as quickly as possible. This new tool not only enhances patient safety but also creates a smoother and safer experience for all our patients.”
The Trust is asking local residents to help ease the pressure on A&E by thinking about whether there's a better place to get the care they need. If it’s not life-threatening or an emergency, please use NHS 111 online or call 111 and a clinician will guide you on the best steps to take for the treatment you need.
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