NCL ICB supports GP practices with management of clinical care of patients through creation and implementation of primary care clinical pathways. They support clinicians to use the most appropriate guidance for patient care and optimise interventions. They are used to make timely and appropriate referrals to both community and secondary care services across our ICS. This has an impact on outcomes for patients and resources in terms of clinician time, use of diagnostics, medicines use and referral implications.
On formation of the ICB, 285 primary care clinical pathways existed from 5 different boroughs with varying subject matter, scope and detail. This programme of work was undertaken (and is still ongoing) across the integrated care system (ICS) to prioritise review, standardisation and alignment of clinical pathways – joining up care across the ICS. At the heart of the programme is collaboration with ICS partners across the system working together in an integrated manner to deliver maximal benefit to patients and also value and efficiency to the system.
Aligned to the work programme has been evolvement of the governance mechanisms supporting decision making of such clinical support tools, especially in the context of organisational changes e.g. formation of the ICB and ICS. The ICB has formed an Integrated Medicines Optimisation Committee whom have a strategic role across the system and provide oversight and assurance on medicines, including being responsible for approval of such pathways affecting care of patients and supporting clinicians across the whole of the ICS.
