Member Article

Pathfinder GP’s announced

The final groups of North East GP’s who will take the lead in commissioning new health services under the Pathfinder scheme have been announced.

This now brings the total number of pathfinders across the region to 14. These groups will now work together with NHS colleagues and local authorities to locally manage budgets and services in order to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

Hospital doctors and nurses will also be encouraged to work with GPs to refine local commissioning systems. It is hoped that this will deliver better value for money for the taxpayer, as well as improving patient care.

Richard Barker, director of commissioning development at NHS North East said: “The North East is in a very good position to embrace the changes ahead and there is a strong commitment from people working right across the region’s NHS to build a successful system for the future.”

Already healthcare teams have begun working together to improve services. GPs and their hospital colleagues in North Tees have pioneered a dashboard which tracks information about patients receiving unscheduled emergency care. This allows doctors to pro-actively manage healthcare, which is especially important for vulnerable people and those with long-term conditions.

Mr Barker added: “Along with all of our local partners, we are absolutely committed to ensuring robust arrangements are in place as the new system for commissioning takes place and to ensure the best possible outcomes and experience for our local communities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .