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Table 2 The main themes

From: Setting up a Paediatric Rapid Access Outpatient Unit: Views of general practice teams

1. RAOU benefits: good telephone access, observation, access to specialist opinion, diagnostic tests and location.

2. Referral difficulties: issues regarding referral criteria, access restriction, and mixed messages from units regarding each others criteria. Does more choice equal more complexity?

3. Lack of information: limited understanding and awareness of unit – the exact remit and the nature of facilities available.

4. Infrastructure and safety: concern expressed regarding facilities, patient safety and whether the RAOU had long-term sustainability.

  1. RAOU = rapid access outpatient unit