New neurology assessment eases bed pressures in Cheshire and Merseyside hospitals

The Rapid Access to Neurology Assessment (RANA) service, developed by clinicians at The Walton Centre, provides patients with direct access to expert neurologists when they visit Emergency Departments with neurological signs and symptoms.

RANA was introduced in February 2021 to support the system further as part of The Walton Centre’s mutual aid offer during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first two months saw 27 patients from Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside, saving approximately 32 bed days.

The new assessment pathway was created by Dr Anita Krishnan, the Trust’s Clinical Director for Neurology. She said: “The vast majority of acute inpatient referral requests from our partner hospitals can be a range of common neurological disorders, from migraines and seizures to functional disorders and sensory disturbance. Before RANA, these patients would often be admitted and have to wait for a visiting neurologist, who would assess them and in most cases discharge them and agree next steps. I saw that we could improve this process and free up much needed beds in emergency departments across the region.

“Under RANA, patients who fit the criteria will now be referred immediately to The Walton Centre and receive the most appropriate care, from the most appropriate person, at the most appropriate time, without getting stuck in the wider healthcare system unnecessarily.”