1. Clinical Networks South Tyneside Health Care NHSTrust

2. What are they? Systems to comply with best practice guidelines for the benefit of patients Distinct from tertiary and referral networks Systems of care to ensure a local service for local residents. Systems of care to safeguard clinical developments and the integration into practice.

3. Who are they with ? Vascular services. Sunderland Haematology. Sunderland. Urology. Sunderland. Breast care. Gateshead. Gynae Oncology. Gateshead. Upper GI. Newcastle..

4. Key Features. Managed through a partnership approach. Deliver out-patient and follow up activity locally. Operative procedures performed by expert surgeons. Hybrid version{s} Haematology network, Sunderland hold Consultant contract. Vascular services, Sunderland and PCT contract direct.

5. Disadvantages. Seen as de-stabilising for our local Trust. Less control over service delivery. Less control over meeting targets. Not currently supported by formal Service Level agreements.