Transforming referral management in oral surgery

Our research has provided solutions to significant increases in referrals to Oral Surgery services causing concerns about quality of care and rising NHS costs. Our NIHR-funded research project evaluated the quality and cost-effectiveness of a web-based referral management system allied to a commission primary care-based Tier 2 service. Our study demonstrated improved access to services and reduced average cost per referral of £108. Now over two million NHS patients across England and Wales are referred annually through systems based on the research model, with 70% treated in Tier 2 services, providing annual savings of over £210 million for the NHS.