One-Stop Clinic Utilization in Plastic Surgery: Our Local Experience and the Results of a UK-Wide National Survey

Figure 1

Three illustrative figures reflecting how effectively a department delivers care in relation to the 18 ww pathway. The first graph: (a) depicts an ideal negative “ski slope” shape curve, where the majority of referrals are seen and treated at the beginning of the pathway, implying that a department has adequate resource to cope with demand. This is opposed to a wider distribution in (b) or bimodal pattern in (c), with peaks at either side of the 18 ww threshold (or target) implying an unsuccessful attempt to rush through patients at the end of the pathway in order to meet target compliance (avoiding fines imposed by the NHS) rather than improve patient care, as is intended by the 18 ww. (a) Ideal “ski slope” curve. (b) Wider distribution, and (c) bimodal pattern implying a struggle to meet the demand of referrals.

(a)

(b)

(c)