Establishing a remote clinical advice service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors :: Burrows S
Asby C
Ibitoye SE
Dodd J
Joughin A
Crees A
Jones Z
Rainey K
Source :: Future healthcare journal [Future Healthc J] 2020 Oct; Vol. 7 (3), pp. e85-e87.
Publication Year :: 2020
Abstract: Service redevelopment has taken place across the NHS in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At North Bristol NHS Trust, six vulnerable medical staff in non-patient facing roles set up a virtual advice service called 'Ask the Medical Reg'. This service aimed to provide senior medical support to inpatient and community teams for general medical and COVID-19-related queries. Here we outline the structure of our service and present data from the first 4 weeks of operation. We describe how the service has supported both junior doctors working within the hospital and GPs and paramedics, helping with complex decisions to prevent unnecessary admissions.<br /> (© Royal College of Physicians 2020. All rights reserved.)