Glossary

Regional services planning in the health sector.
Assessment, Treatment, and Rehabilitation (AT&R) We use this term to mean beds in a hospital setting where patients are not suffering from an acute illness or disease, but cannot return home until they have had their needs assessed (and a plan to manage those needs has been put in place). Before leaving, they may need some ongoing medical treatment after surgery, or therapy to enable them to resume some normal daily living tasks. Most AT&R beds in the health system are used for patients over 65.
Bariatric surgery One of several types of weight loss surgery performed on people who are dangerously overweight, to restrict or reduce food intake and or absorption.
Clinical pathway There are many definitions but, in the context of this report, we mean a "road map" for a patient through the health system, which is informed by clinical evidence about what will work best for them. Pathways are used to manage quality by standardising processes.
Clinical protocols Guidelines based on evidence that help to inform clinical decisions on diagnosis and treatment. Protocols are another tool to help standardise medical care, improve quality, and reduce risk to patients.
Clinical threshold A set of criteria that a patient must meet, or exceed, before they can access a service or procedure. It should mean those with the best possible clinical outcomes are selected for a given treatment. It can also be a way of rationing scarce resources. A clinical threshold can also be the amount of measurable improvement expected from a clinical procedure.
Elective surgery Surgery that is planned well before it takes place because it does not involve a medical emergency.
E-referral An electronic way of making referrals, usually from primary health care, such as GPs to a hospital. Has advantages over paper-based referral, such as less duplication of data input and less likely to get lost.
Imaging The collective term used to describe images such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT scans), ultrasound scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs).
Model of care A systematic way of thinking that brings together people, processes, and specialisations to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and safety of the patient's care. It proposes where services will be provided, who will be involved in care delivery, and how care will be delivered. The aim is to make sure high-quality services can be delivered sustainably.
Primary health care The professional health care received in the community, usually from a general practitioner or practice nurse. Primary health care covers a broad range of health and preventative services, including health education, counselling, disease prevention, and screening.
Sub-regional working More than one of the district health boards in a region working together.
Tertiary hospital A major hospital that provides consultant-led care throughout most specialist and sub-specialty services. Tertiary hospitals are unlikely to need to transfer patients elsewhere for specialist care, including major trauma and specialist surgery, like heart surgery.
Workstream The organisation of various distinct, and often unrelated, work groups around a common purpose – for example, bringing together managers and clinical staff to plan improvements in the health of older people.