Facilitators and barriers to delivering an optimal specialist service in the United Kingdom: An example from cleft lip and palate care

Stock, Nicola; Zucchelli, Fabio; Hammond, Vanessa; Hudson, Nichola; Sell, Debbie

Abstract

Aim: Despite published standards of care, inequities and variations in specialist care delivery in the United Kingdom have been identified. Using cleft lip and palate (CL/P) care as an example, this study aimed to identify common barriers to delivering an optimal specialist service, as well as potential facilitators.
Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 50 specialist CL/P practitioners, representing all sixteen UK centres.
Results: Thematic analysis identified a range of barriers, including working within a restrictive medical model, declining resources, and an insufficient evidence base. To facilitate optimal care delivery, participants described a need to share best practice, partnering with academics to demonstrate service effectiveness, the utilisation of technology in clinic, and the authentic integration of patient-centred care.
Conclusions: Specialist teams need to work more closely with commissioners to ensure allocation of resources based on need and the optimisation of service delivery and patient outcomes.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 31, 2021
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2021
• Journal: British Journal of Healthcare Management
• Print ISSN: 1358-0574
• Publisher: MA Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Visible Difference; Cleft Lip and Palate; Specialisation; Commissioning, Optimisation; Multidisciplinary; Patient-Centred Care
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7854408