Care Navigation & triage help get patients seen by the right service and the right time. Learn how Hero Health can play a role in your service.
Care navigation is the NHS' latest tool to help overcome the imbalance of clinician supply and patient demand. The concept is to ensure that when a patient contacts a practice, they are directed such that they receive the right (appropriate) healthcare service at the right time for them.
With increasing demand on NHS resources, care navigation offers a lifeline—improving patient access, reducing GP workloads, and streamlining practice operations.
Whether through trained care navigators or cutting-edge digital tools, implementing care navigation can significantly enhance service delivery and patient satisfaction. Let’s explore what care navigation is, why it’s vital, and how digital tools like Hero Health’s Care Navigation Tool can collaborate with your in-person care navigators to improve patient experience.
Care navigation helps patients access the most appropriate healthcare support from their first point of contact. Rather than simply pushing all patients through GP appointments, where appropriate patients are guided (or directed) to alternative services like nurse practitioners, pharmacists, community support, or self-help options. These services can be at the practice level, or at a PCN level. This approach improves efficiency and ensures patients receive timely, tailored care.
Care navigators are trained staff—such as receptionists or patient coordinators—who assess patient needs and direct them to the most suitable service. They work closely with GPs, local authorities, and community resources to ensure patients access the care they need promptly.
Hero Health's digital care navigation triage is an online consultation tool, that functions similarly to in-person care navigation, by helping direct patients to appropriate local services beyond just GP appointments.
By connecting patients to the right services, care navigators enhance outcomes, optimize practice resources, and foster stronger collaboration across primary care.
Care navigation improves access and satisfaction. Patients experience shorter wait times, better outcomes, and clear guidance on their options, ensuring a smoother healthcare journey.
By reducing unnecessary GP appointments—studies suggest 27% could be avoided—care navigation eases GP workloads and frees up time for urgent cases. Practices can better manage resources and improve their service delivery.
Care navigation strengthens collaboration between GP practices, extended teams, and community services. This integrated, patient-centered approach supports coordinated care and better outcomes.
With rising patient volumes, digital tools like the Hero Health Care Navigation feature are becoming indispensable. These platforms offer an efficient alternative to traditional care navigation, empowering patients to navigate their care independently while supporting staff workflows.
Care navigation is essential for transforming NHS primary care. Whether led by trained staff or enhanced with digital tools, it streamlines patient access, alleviates GP pressures, and fosters integrated care.
Hero Health’s Care Navigation Tool goes a step further, offering practices a flexible, cost-effective solution that empowers patients and enhances efficiency. Ready to revolutionize your practice?
