Sustainability and Seven Day Services Taskforce Interim Report

Defining seven day services

Building on the vision set out, there has been substantial discussion in the Taskforce and its supporting groups about what is meant by a sustainable, seven day service. We have agreed the following as a definition of seven day services.

"The aim of the Sustainability and Seven Day Services Programme is to ensure that people requiring healthcare have timely access to high quality, person-centred, safe and effective care when they need it, regardless of the time or day of the week, and on a basis which is sustainable in the long term. Achieving sustainability and seven day services will require a whole system approach. This will focus on:

• Ensuring that all patients requiring clinically urgent or emergency healthcare have timely access to an appropriate clinical team who can determine and deliver their care.
• Ensuring that all such patients have access to appropriate investigations and tests when they are required.
• Ensuring that all patients have continuity of care including the capacity to be discharged and supported in their discharge from hospital seven days per week.
• Achieving the best possible outcomes and experience for patients by using available resources in a sustainable manner."