The Foot
Volume 21, Issue 4 , Pages 166-171 , December 2011

A prospective audit of referral patterns to a dedicated Foot and Ankle surgical service

  • Stephen Hewitt

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Department Podiatric Surgery, West Middlesex University Hospital, Isleworth Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, London TW7 6AF, United Kingdom.
  • ,
  • Ben Yates
  • ,
  • David Williamson

Received 23 November 2010 ,Revised 3 March 2011 ,Accepted 28 March 2011.

References 

  1. Crisp N. Creating a patient led NHS. Delivering the NHS Improvement Plan; 2005. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/.../DH_4106506.
  2. Department of Health, Social Services Personal safety (DHSSPS) 2002.Northenr Ireland waiting lists-September 2002. http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/waing_lists_sept02.pdf.
  3. Hunter C, Irwin D, Aitken D, et al. Primary care orthopaedic triage service. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2002;85-B(SUPP_II):179
  4. Roland M, Porter R, Matthews J, et al. Improving care: a study of orthopaedic outpatient referrals. BMJ. 1991;302:1124–1128
  5. Department of Health . The NHS Plan: a plan for investment, a plan for reform. Cutting waiting for treatment. London: Department of Health; 2000;
  6. Department of Health. Waiting times for first outpatient appointments in England. Quarter ended 31 December 2002. http://www.performance.doh.gov.uk/waitingtimes.
  7. Reeder B, Lyne D, Patel D, Cucos D. Referral patterns to a paediatric orthopaedic clinic: implications for education and practice. Pediatrics. 2004;113(March (3)):
  8. Watmough P, Roberts N, Freeman R, et al. The effect of a primary care musclulo-skeletal service on foot and ankle care. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005;90-B(SUPP_II):233
  9. McArdle PJ, Whitnall M. The referral practice of general medical practitioners of the surgical specialties: implications for the future. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1998;36(February (1)):75–76
  10. Speed CA, Crisp AJ. Referrals to hospital-based rheumatology and orthopaedic services: seeking direction. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2005;44(April (4)):469–471
  11. Morley NC, Robertson H, Millar J, Finlayson DF. Use of radiology by general practitioners making orthopaedic referrals: a cross-sectional study. Scott Med J. 2009;54(February (1)):14–15
  12. WHO – International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10) 1994. http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/.
  13. Delivering the 18 week patient pathway. Updated 18 Week Clock Rules. Department of Health. 11 December 2006. http://www.18weeks.nhs.uk.
  14. Revision to the Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2010/11. http://www.18weeks.nhs.uk/.
  15. Marco P, Dain C, Lockwood T, Roland M. How valuable is feedback of information on hospital referral patterns?. BMJ. 1993;307:1465–1466
  16. Roland M. Measuring the appropriateness of hospital referrals. In:  Roland M,  Coulter A editor. Hospital referrals. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1992;
  17. Fertig A, Roland M, King H, Moore T. Understanding variation in rates among general practitioners: are inappropriate referrals important and would guidelines help to reduce rates?. BMJ. 1993;307(6917):P1467–P1470
  18. Zecchini F. Template for the preoperative planning of hallux valgus (undertoe). Foot Ankle Surg. 2001;7(1):53–56
  19. Haslam D. Department of Health, Royal College of General Practitioners. Implementing a scheme for general practitioners with special interests; 2006. http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/05/98/61/04059861.pdf.
  20. Apthorp L, Daly C, Morrison I, Field S. Direct access MRI for general practitioners – influence on patient management. Clin Radiol. 1998;53(1):58–60
  21. Donald R, Holleman R, Simel D. Effectiveness of automatic diagnostic test result feedback on outpatient laboratory and radiology testing in veterans: a controlled trial. Med Care. 1996;34(8):857–861
  22. Maddison P, Jones J, Breslin A, et al. Improved access and targeting of musculoskeletal services in northeast Wales: targeted early access to musculoskeletal services (TEAMS) programme. BMJ. 2004;329:1325–1327
  23. Green J, McDowall J, Potts H. 2008. Does Choose & Book fail to deliver the expected choice to patients? A survey of patients’ experience of outpatient appointment booking. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making;8:36. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6947/8/36.
  24. Bennett PJ. Prevalence and type of foot surgery performed in Australia: a clinical review. Foot. 2007;17:197–204
  25. Coughlin MJ. Women's shoe wear and foot disorders. West J Med. 1995;163(6):569–570
  26. Emmanuel J, Walter N. Referrals from general practice to hospital outpatient departments: a strategy for improvement. BMJ. 1989;299:722–724

PII: S0958-2592(11)00035-6

doi: 10.1016/j.foot.2011.03.002

The Foot
Volume 21, Issue 4 , Pages 166-171 , December 2011