Characteristics of referral management in each group
| Group | Referral-management approach | Key interventions | Number of practices and registered population | Allocated budget; budget per registered patient (2011/2012) | Recruitment of first practice; length of follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internal peer review | Monthly peer review of selected referrals; use of guidelines; monthly feedback reports to referring GPs; pathway redesign evidence | 2 practices; 33 837 | £85 946; £2.54 | April 2011; 12 months |
| 2 | Internal peer review | Monthly peer review of selected referrals; use of guidelines; monthly feedback reports to referring GPs; pathway redesign evidence | 23 practices; 206 005 | £113 303; £0.55a | June 2011; 9 months |
| 3 | Referral-management | Creation of referral database; clinical and centre non-clinical review of all referrals; use of guidelines; 6-monthly feedback reports to referring clinician; pathway redesign evidence; booking of secondary care patient appointments for practices | 20 practices; 166 917 | £1 039 892; £6.23 | August 2010; 20 months |
| 4 | Referral-management | Creation of referral database; clinical and centre non-clinical review of all referrals; pathway redesign evidence; evidence-based education for GPs; bimonthly feedback reports to referring clinician | 18 practices; 146 928 | £900 670; £6.13 | July 2010; 21 months |
| 5 | Referral-management | Creation of referral database; clinical and centre non-clinical review of referral to seven specialties; pathway redesign evidence; 6-monthly feedback reports to referring clinician; booking of secondary care patient appointments for practices | 22 practices; 159 824 | £514 634; £3.22 | April 2011; 12 months |
↵a Allocated budget for 2010/2011.