Software package and information systems

Description

The aim of a referral management system is to manage clinical demand and allocation of referrals, with valid need, to specialist dental services. A national approach to the procurement and implementation of an e-referral platform is required for Wales. It is expected that this service will play a key contributing role in improving quality of referrals and pathways management across Wales. The average referral activity for Wales on an annual basis is approximately 44 000. This is for all specialties, excluding special care dentistry and primary care led general anaesthetic services. Therefore approximately 50 000 is the expected volume to be managed by a Dental E-Referral Management Service (DEMS) provider. Administrative and/or clinical triage is applied to all referrals to assess completeness of referral, clinical need and complexity. Referrers making appropriate referrals can in time earn autonomy and bypass the triage stage. The aim of a referral management system is to manage clinical demand and allocation of referrals, with valid need, to specialist dental services. Central Dental Referral Management Services exist in England and are effective in providing a standardized approach to referral management. Such services include all dental specialties and pathways across primary and secondary care. Referral Management Systems provide invaluable, timely data on patient need to support decision making for service planning and pathway development, as well as for assessment and reporting on referral quality and source. A national approach to the procurement and implementation of an e-referral platform is required for Wales. It is expected that this service will play a key contributing role in improving quality of referrals and pathways management across Wales. The average referral activity for Wales on an annual basis is approximately 44 000. This is for all specialties, excluding special care dentistry and primary care led general anaesthetic services. Therefore approximately 50 000 is the expected volume to be managed by a Dental E-Referral Management Service (DEMS) provider. Administrative and/or clinical triage is applied to all referrals to assess completeness of referral, clinical need and complexity. Referrers making appropriate referrals can in time earn autonomy and bypass the triage stage. Referrals will be received from: — General Dental Practitioners within Wales, — General Dental Practitioners outside bordering Wales, whose patients are registered with a GP within Wales, — Other dental providers (including private practitioners and community dental services referring into NHS services).