Purpose

Pausing a patient's pathway during pregnancy without discharging them, so they do not have to start again afterwards.

Procedure

1. Add the patient to the pregnancy tab.
2. Send the pregnancy leaflets and information, and record that they have gone out.
3. Record the due date on the system.
4. Pause the normal chase and escalation activity - the patient is not discharged for non-engagement during this period.
5. Contact the patient after the due date to ask whether they still want the service, and resume the pathway.

Fields recorded

Patient · due date · leaflets and information sent · outcome · appointment made · date paused · date recontacted · pathway resumed

Notes

• This exists specifically to avoid discharging patients who would otherwise have to be re-referred and rejoin the waiting list.

Open points

• Which leaflets and information make up the pregnancy pack.
• Whether the pause stops waiting-list clocks for ICB reporting purposes.

Flowchart

Shared care

Handing prescribing to the GP, and what happens when the GP will not take it.