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Shared care

We believe that shared care is essential to the well-being of our patients, providing them with the best outcome for their disease.

We are keen to work not only with doctors, but also nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other professionals, across primary and secondary care in the region.

Our model of shared care is based on:

  • Experience from tertiary referral and secondary care services.
  • Shared care agreements between the rheumatology departments and local primary care trusts (PCTs).
  • Guidance from the:
    • National Service Framework for Children
    • British Society of Paediatric & Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR)
    • Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)
    • Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
    • Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)
    • Carter Report
    Shared care protocols for Oxfordshire can be found using the following link: http://www.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk/professional-resources/shared-care-protocols.htm

Our contribution

  • To lead on all aspects of care for the rheumatological or pain disorder
  • To communicate quickly and efficiently with other members providing shared care
  • To provide information sheets and a website for other professionals as well as parents and patients
  • To be accessible through our telephone and e-mail support
  • To be flexible in providing alternative solutions
  • To use local services wherever possible making referrals to other specialists
  • To act as advocates for our patients
  • To maintain an efficient service
  • To optimise the one stop shop offering radiological and therapeutic measures on the same day

Contribution of primary care

  • Facilitate day to day paediatric care
  • Facilitate description of medication (including methotrexate) and associated blood monitoring
  • Referral to allied healthcare professionals
  • Support the management of infectious diseases such as chicken pox liaising with us
  • Copy us into referrals

Contributions of secondary care

  • As for contributions of primary care (especially in circumstances where primary care are able to facilitate management)
  • Support in in-patient management
  • Support in day-case management
  • Support in investigations such as Radiology

Here in Oxfordshire, primary care accepts a shared responsibility for prescription and monitoring without difficulty. Audit and feedback has shown that we are accessible and our patients find this very convenient.