Vision - better healthcare, closer to home
MEDICS aims are:
1. to eliminate waste within the NHS - ensuring referrals are appropriate, complete and directed to the most appropriate provider - "right first time"
2. to develop alternate services - where new services are needed or when NHS waiting-times are long, MEDICS' SPMS contract provides the ability to develop new clinics
3. to improve primary care - supporting enhanced services in GP practices, bringing consultants into the community, repatriating follow-ups from hospital, funding new services
In the past when patients needed more specialised care, they could only get this by being referred through a hospital consultant. But now, MEDICS provides many more specialist options in the community without the need to attend hospital. These include clinics for eyes, skin, diabetes, muscle and joint problems; minor surgery; and community specialist teams for people who have complex problems.
MEDICS also provides easier access to investigations like colonoscopy, 24-hour electrocardiograms and ultrasound which can also be performed in community units. As a result nowadays, much more care can be provided closer to home without the need to attend hospital.