NHS Lanarkshire's 'Pathway Development Group'

An Interface Pathway Commissioning and Governance Group (IPCAG) has been established that sits within the Interface Directorate. The aim of this group is to commission and co-design pathways jointly between primary care, secondary care and other relevant stakeholders including the Flow Navigation Centre (FNC). This structure aims to ensure that pathways work effectively across all sites and for all parts of the system. 

The group receives submissions for pathways using a specific form, scores them, and they are taken to IPCAG to be commissioned. A team of facilitators and a co-ordinator use the mixed membership of the group to design pathways with feedback and eventual ratification by IPCAG. This approach aims to develop pathways and processes that work for clinicians and other stakeholders on both sides of the interface to improve the patient experience and efficiency of referral and other care pathways. 

IPCAG was formed following the success of the development of the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service in Lanarkshire and using the resources and experience of the FNC team to facilitate the right care at the right time. Co-designing pathways across the interface ensures that new pathways are shaped to improve the patient journey and reflect the realities of both primary and secondary care to support consistent, efficient, high-quality care across Lanarkshire.

For more information on this case study, please contact scotland.interface@rcgp.org.uk