National Demand Optimisation Group (Ndog) – Phase 3 Report

6 Engagement

Throughout Phase III of the programme, opportunities have been taken to talk about the programme and demonstrate the Atlas to a number of stakeholders including clinicians, laboratory managers, referring clinicians and Scottish Government (see Appendix C for a full list of engagement). This has provided opportunities to demonstrate the GP versions of the Atlas and listen to feedback, helping to shape the content and views of the Atlas, ensuring that it meets stakeholders' needs and is developed into a useful tool both for service users and laboratories. It has also created the opportunity to begin to use/pilot the Atlas.

NHS Lothian have a primary care lab interface group that brings GPs together with laboratory medicine professionals. The programme was given the opportunity to present to them in January 2020. The session was attended by over 300 GPs and provided an opportunity for them to sign up as early adopters of the Atlas. Many GPs were keen to see this work progress, with the inclusion of more up to date data identified as a priority for them (see Appendix E for Twitter feedback following the event). A subsequent planned rollout of Atlas access with educational support was planned for early 2020.

The programme was also offered the opportunity to present the Atlas to the Primary Care Advisory (PAC) group, which comprised of GPs/Associate Medical Directors and Scottish Government. There was universal agreement that everyone should be able to see each practice's data and a lot of keen interest from a number of referring clinicians across the NHS Boards for access to begin reviewing their own practice data. Additional feedback was welcomed and helped to further refine the Atlas dashboards.

Throughout the programme there have been regular updates with the Diagnostic Networks and the Atlas was showcased at the HaTS launch and a number of network education events (see Appendix C).

The Atlas and the Demand Optimisation programme have also been promoted at regular national events including the NHS Scotland event, Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (ACB) focus event, and at roadshows in several NHS Boards. This has had the benefit of further promoting the capabilities of the Atlas to a wide audience and ensuring the objectives of the programme are disseminated.