Peer review, feedback and subsequent training are key features of referral information services. These elements can be a cost effective mechanism to help regulate referrals through engagement and learning.
Working closely with clinicians and applying quality markers to referrals based on NICE guidance resulted in NICE Exemplar Status
Referral quality can be improved by training and education delivered directly to clinicians. This provides regular feedback and supporting evidence on clinical adherence and treatment outcomes
Evidence suggests that providing the patient with all the treatment options available to them improves experience and can result in more conservative decisions about their care. Patients become more involved in their own care which in turn improves compliance with treatment plans, potentially reducing costs and improving outcomes.
Measuring referrals against essential markers and to make these a firm threshold for referral has shown to improve quality in primary care, reducing referral activity.
