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Editor:
It is really very nice to know that NHS Direct are doing really well. With
my personal experience, I feel that their referrals to A&E and GPs are a
bit more than expected from trained healthcare professionals.
At a time when the future of NHS Direct is so dim, it is worth studying
the effectiveness by doing an audit to see the percentage of cases
referred to above services and the appropriateness of it. It may show
'referral boom' than 'business boom' and in turn cost effectiveness which
should help decide its future.
Nevertheless it is one of the best tools to refer acute and unwell
patients to hospitals than 'cold' cases.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
30 August 2006
Dr Anand Barmade
GP Registrar
The worsbrough centre, West Street, Worsbrough Barnsley S7O 5NT. South Yorkshire
Referral boom?
Editor:
It is really very nice to know that NHS Direct are doing really well. With
my personal experience, I feel that their referrals to A&E and GPs are a
bit more than expected from trained healthcare professionals.
At a time when the future of NHS Direct is so dim, it is worth studying
the effectiveness by doing an audit to see the percentage of cases
referred to above services and the appropriateness of it. It may show
'referral boom' than 'business boom' and in turn cost effectiveness which
should help decide its future.
Nevertheless it is one of the best tools to refer acute and unwell
patients to hospitals than 'cold' cases.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests