eConsult Case Studies
eHub case studies
eConsult has supported over 10 different eHubs since the first federated working model in 2017. Our change management and online consultation experience set us apart from any other provider in the NHS. Take a look at some of our latest case studies below.
Folkestone, Hythe and Rural PCN
Key stats
- Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board
- 7 practices semi-rural location
- 49,336 combined list size
- eHub setup October 2022
In late 2021, Folkestone, Hythe and Rural PCN set out a plan to design and implement an eHub to help support the practices that were challenged by the rising demand for online consultation.
FH&R PCN eHub is now processing over 4500 eConsults per month and the processing of eConsults by the eHub is now substantially quicker than the individual practices prior to the implementation of the eHub. The digital infrastructure of the PCN Hub and eConsult Smart Inbox was pivotal in deploying a quick and scalable solution to meet the rising demand of winter pressures.
Hurley Group – GP Federation eHub
Key benefits
- eConsults structured data is critical to their eHub. It offers a safety capability they simply do not have with traditional models
- 10 times recruitment from the offer of flexible remote working
Dr Ross Dyer-Smith and his colleagues at the Hurley Group first created the idea of a digital eHub in 2017. The idea was born out of the realisation that they had inconsistency in the processing of eConsults across their sites and a workforce that had a lack of familiarity with this way of working.
Their eHub model was designed to have a team of highly skilled clinicians and a management structure that could help manage online consultation demand and therefore maximise efficiency. In 2017 the Hurley Group were also an early adopter of online consultation via eConsult, which allowed for remote access, remote prescribing and shared hospital records. All of this was set up to enable safe and effective remote care.
Alliance for Better Care (ABC)
Key stats
- Sussex ICB
- 15 practices
- 169,178 patient list size
- Live with eConsult since October 2022
The eConsult Health detailed change management programme enabled Alliance for Better Care (ABC) to set up a highly effective digital-first eHub that manages the routine online consultation work for 15 practices within Sussex ICB. The structured approach to training and process development, combined with the use of the eConsult Smart Inbox, enables ABC to manage safely all inbound eConsults. This has a significant impact of reducing the pressure on the practices.
Bromley Connect Primary Care Network
Key stats
- South East London Integrated Care Board
- 3 practices
- 40,000 combined patient list size
- Live with eConsult – 2022
Bromley Connect PCN set up a small eHub comprising three practices using their internal staff to help manage demand and work more efficiently and collaboratively. The team now has a central hub to review daily inbound eConsults and manage them as agreed using their collective resources. Dealing with eConsults centrally strengthens the overall working collaboration, shares resources, and sends a unified message to the patients. The introduction of the Smart Inbox gives the team far better visibility of eConsults and enables better prioritisation and efficient workflow processes.
GP practice case studies
We are currently live in over 3000 NHS GP practices across the UK. The benefits of using eConsult can be seen in multiple ways from improved triage efficiency, reduced spending or increased patient safety. Take a look at some of our latest case studies below.
Forge Medical Practice
Key stats
- Patient List size: 9,819
- Launched with eConsult: July 2019
- Launch date with Total Triage and the Smart Inbox: April 2023
- Model: eConsult Smart Inbox
Forge Medical Practice decided to move away from the traditional 8am model to an approach that enabled the practice to better manage demand for their services and ensure equitable care for their patient population through an assessment of need model.
Although the phone line will always remain an option, the practice now has an average of 72% of requests coming in online, including from patients in their 90s.
Brocklebank Practice
Key stats
- Patient List size: 16,743
- Launched: 8th December 2022
- Clinical System: EMIS
Brocklebank Practice forms part of the Brocklebank PCN ( South West London ICB), two other practices in the PCN are already benefiting from eConsult and the ongoing implementation support.
Before using eConsult Brocklebank Practice was using a different app-based, free-text-heavy online consultation provider. The practice found that their workload was increasing because patients could use the previous OLC solution to directly book appointments without having to provide a reason or go through a practice-led triage process.
The Transformation were brought in to help Brocklebank change their processes and take advantage of online consultation.
Sidcup Medical Centre
Key stats
- Patient List size: 11,900
- Launched: 28th November 2017
- Model: telephone to online triage
Around a third of patients at Sidcup Medical Centre have been converted to eConsult, and we estimate we’ve saved around £40,000 in a year through better patient triaging, remote closure, and by having a patient’s history upfront.
Hillview Surgery, Perivale
Key stats
- Patient List size: 11,000
- Launched: April 2020
- Model: Total Triage
Hillview Surgery started using eConsult in April 2020 to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic. The practice was struggling to manage the number of telephone calls and clinical teams were spending time supporting the administrative team. Knowing this was unsustainable as the pandemic increased, the practice looked to technology to support them.
North Surgery, Annan
Key stats
- Patient List size: 7,500 patients
- Location: Rural practice, Annan, South West Scotland
- Launched with eConsult: April 2020
- Model: Routine / On the day
North Surgery was one of the first practices in West Scotland to implement eConsult and to understand how online consultation could improve practice efficiency and patient safety, especially during COVID-19. In the space of two weeks, both of the practices in Annan rolled-out eConsult to their patients, in order to keep the community and the practice staff safe. Patients have appreciated the ability to seek help from their practice during lockdown and now use it as the principal access route for help and advice.
The patient experience
The benefits are not just felt by Practice staff. We hear feedback from 1000s of patients that eConsult has made it easier to access their healthcare, and improved patient safety and overall experience. Take a look at some of our latest patient case studies below.
“eConsult will lead to better outcomes for patients” | Lyn Wheeler
Lyn Wheeler, the PPG lead for South View Partnership explains how General Practice in the NHS has changed for her. Lyn talks about the benefits that eConsult has brought to her and other patients at South View Partnership, that have been emphasised during the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
An online consultation enables you to contact a GP or other health professional over the internet. It saves you waiting for an appointment or going to the GP surgery. You can tell your GP about your health using a smartphone, tablet or computer. The type of online consultation you have depends on your GP surgery.
eConsult enables NHS based GP practices to offer online consultations to their patients. This allows patients to submit their symptoms or requests to their own GP electronically, and offers around the clock NHS self-help information, signposting to services, and a symptom checker.