NHS Lanarkshire Revolutionizes Unscheduled Care Amid Winter Pressures with FNC+Plus

NHS Lanarkshire is making significant strides in transforming the management of unscheduled care, which is particularly vital as hospitals across the UK brace for the challenges of winter pressures. In an innovative move, the health board is urging the public to utilize appropriate channels for accessing care, thereby enabling a multi-skilled team to step in and provide support when it’s needed most. At the heart of this initiative is the Flow Navigation Centre+Plus (FNC+Plus), a cutting-edge facility located at NHS Lanarkshire's headquarters in Bothwell. Staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the FNC+Plus team includes nurses, emergency consultants, ambulance personnel, and support staff, all committed to ensuring patients receive timely care. With a wealth of frontline experience concentrated in one location, the team is poised to deliver faster responses, reduce hospital stays, and facilitate care at home whenever feasible. The benefits of this innovative service are already evident, with thousands of patients experiencing improved care pathways. Trudi Marshall, NHS Lanarkshire's interface director, highlighted the unique nature of the FNC+Plus team, stating that it is the only service of its kind in the UK with such extensive capabilities. She emphasized the importance of public cooperation in maximizing the success of this initiative, urging residents to trust the expertise of the professionals involved and to follow the recommended pathways when seeking medical assistance. As part of their ongoing efforts, NHS Lanarkshire has also introduced a Winter Health Hub, which provides essential information and options for navigating seasonal illnesses. The FNC+Plus team currently handles around 7,000 calls each month from various sources, including NHS 24, general practitioners, and the Scottish Ambulance Service. This collaborative approach allows them to direct patients to the most appropriate services, including options like Hospital at Home and community respiratory care, effectively mitigating the need for hospital visits. In a promising statistic, the FNC+Plus centre has managed over 30,000 calls in just 19 weeks, successfully rerouting nearly 5,000 patients to alternative support options during that time. However, Ms. Marshall acknowledged the frustrations that can arise from wait times in services like NHS 24, stressing that bypassing these channels can lead to longer delays in care delivery. She emphasized that for non-life-threatening conditions, accessing care through proper channels can facilitate quicker and more effective responses, often through innovative means such as video consultations with emergency consultants. Professor Jann Gardner, chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire, reinforced the commitment of the organization to provide compassionate care during vulnerable moments in patients' lives. He noted that while the winter season presents challenges, it also offers an opportunity for innovation and improvement. The FNC+Plus initiative is seen as a pivotal step in a broader reform aimed at revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered, focusing on resource optimization and a patient-centered approach. The collaborative efforts of the FNC+Plus team reflect an irreplaceable blend of professional experience and cutting-edge innovation, all aimed at ensuring that care is not only responsive but also transformative for patients in the Lanarkshire community. As NHS Lanarkshire continues to navigate these changes, the health board remains steadfast in its mission to provide exceptional care to those in need, particularly in the face of seasonal challenges.