Directory enquiries with a difference launches in Blackburn with Darwen on November 1.
GPs across Pennine Lancashire will soon be able to use a ‘yellow pages’ of health and social care services to save thousands of pounds on unnecessary A&E visits.
The web based directory, which goes live on November 1, contains information about and contact details for approximately 320 different health and social care services, from podiatry to mental health provision. It’s the biggest of its kind in England and a much smaller directory in the north east of England has already cut unnecessary ambulance attendance at A&E by 30 per cent.
GPs will be able to use it to find the right service for patients, whatever their need, and the directory will be constantly updated and expanded based on user feedback.
Dr Malcolm Ridgway, CTP Medical Director, said he thought the directory would be very helpful.
“It’s a great reference tool, very easy to use and will be invaluable for GPs and particularly new and locum GPs who are not yet familiar with the full range of services available,” he said.
“However, any directory is only as good as the information that goes into it, so it is vital that services continually update the contents to ensure it is up to date. Your feedback is encouraged so we can ensure it is continually improved and developed.”
The Capacity Management System Directory of Services, known as CMS DoS is a web-based directory which has been developed by the NHS nationally. PCTs in the north east and south of England are already using the system but the Pennine Lancashire directory is already the biggest in the country and set to expand further as more social care and voluntary services are added.
All GP’s and Practice Managers should have received log in details to help access the directory. If you haven’t, please contact Pam Walls-Hester at the email address below.
As these are shared log-ins for your service please circulate the details to other members of your team.
We welcome your feedback on the system to enable us to make it as useful as possible. You can provide feedback either via the link on the website or direct to pam.walls-hester@bwd.nhs.uk or Karen.herd@eastlancspct.nhs.uk
