NICE database aims to reduce inappropriate referrals

28 October 2010

In an initiative aimed at reducing the financial burden of inappropriate referrals to NHS secondary care, NICE has launched a recommendations database covering referral advice for a range of conditions from suspected cancer to psoriasis.

The database highlights recommendations from NICE guidelines which clearly identify where patients might benefit from secondary care or specialist services and, "by implication, those where patients would not benefit from these services".

The intention is to ensure value for money while improving clinical outcomes and patient experience, as well as reducing local and regional inequalities in patient care.

Professor Peter Littlejohns, NICE Clinical and Public Health Director, said: "Inappropriate referral to secondary care places a large financial burden on the NHS. Implementing NICE guidance can provide a way for GPs and commissioners to ensure that patients receive treatment that is proven to be both clinically and cost effective, including when it is appropriate to refer a patient to hospital. Following NICE guidance frees up resources and capacity that can then be channelled into other services.

"The decision to refer a patient to secondary care or specialist services is extremely important and is based on a variety of factors. The NICE 'referral advice' recommendations database is a valuable resource for those providing and commissioning care on when patients should be referred on from primary care."

NICE states that the database is one of a number of initiatives to help the NHS face up to "arguably its greatest challenge yet - to deliver the QIPP (Quality, Improvement, Productivity and Prevention) agenda, whilst facing a squeeze on finances".