Gastroenterology: GIRFT Programme National Specialty Report (September 2021)

Summary

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) is designed to improve the quality of care within the NHS by reducing unwarranted variations. By tackling variations in the way services are delivered across the NHS, and by sharing best practice between trusts, GIRFT identifies changes that will help improve care and patient outcomes, as well as delivering efficiencies such as the reduction of unnecessary procedures and cost savings.

Content

Gastrointestinal complaints are very common and account for one in ten GP consultations in England. This GIRFT report reviewed 129 gastroenterology teams in England and contains 24 recommendations to improve patient care, including:

• extending service hours (by recruiting additional staff).
• introducing specialist triage of referrals at an earlier stage.
• introducing more proactive care programmes for patients with chronic conditions.

You will need a FutureNHS account to view this report, or you can view a short video summary which includes key recommendations.