One stop clinic models can help services reduce repeat visits, improve patient experience and shorten delays between consultation, diagnostics and treatment planning. This checklist provides a practical structure for assessing whether a one stop pathway is suitable, deliverable and sustainable.
A one stop clinic should only be introduced where the clinical pathway, diagnostic access, workforce model and operational process can support safe and efficient same-day decision making.
For some specialties, patients may need multiple appointments before a diagnosis, treatment plan or onward pathway can be confirmed. This can create avoidable delays, increase administrative pressure and make the patient journey more fragmented.
The Productive Partners One Stop Clinic Feasibility and Implementation Checklist helps teams review whether a one stop clinic model could improve pathway efficiency and whether the right operational foundations are in place.
What is the One Stop Clinic Feasibility Checklist?
The One Stop Clinic Feasibility and Implementation Checklist is a practical resource for teams considering whether a one stop clinic model could be introduced within their service.
It prompts teams to review patient need, specialty suitability, operational scope, stakeholder engagement, implementation planning, performance monitoring and sustainability.
Used early in the planning process, it can help services identify whether a one stop model is appropriate and what needs to be in place before implementation.
Who is this resource for?
This resource is designed for NHS teams reviewing outpatient pathways, diagnostic access and opportunities to reduce repeat visits.
It may be particularly useful for:
- Outpatient service managers
- Operational managers
- Clinical leads
- Diagnostic service teams
- Transformation teams
- Booking and scheduling teams
- Patient access teams
- Teams reviewing pathway redesign opportunities
What does the checklist cover?
The checklist is structured around the key areas teams should review before developing a one stop clinic pathway.
Assessing the need for a one stop clinic
The checklist prompts teams to consider whether patients currently require multiple visits for diagnostics, consultation and treatment planning, and whether there are delays between initial consultation and diagnostic testing.
Identifying the right specialties
It asks whether the specialty involves a high number of diagnostic tests, whether there is a clear treatment protocol and whether clinicians can make same-day treatment plans safely based on diagnostic results.
Defining the scope and operational model
The resource supports review of which services need to be co-located, whether diagnostic bottlenecks need to be addressed first, whether suitable space is available and whether IT systems can support streamlined scheduling and referrals.
Engaging key stakeholders
The checklist prompts teams to consider whether consultants, nurses, radiographers, administrative teams, patient representatives, operational teams, commissioners and finance colleagues have been engaged.
Planning implementation
It includes prompts around mapping the ideal patient journey, creating standardised protocols, training teams and putting booking or referral processes in place.
Monitoring and optimisation
The resource asks whether KPIs have been defined, whether appointment efficiency and diagnostic turnaround times are tracked, and whether DNAs, cancellations and delays are monitored.
Sustainability and continuous improvement
The checklist encourages teams to consider governance, audit cycles, staff and patient feedback, and whether the model could be expanded or replicated across other services.
Why this matters
One stop clinic models can offer significant benefits where they are clinically appropriate and operationally deliverable. They can reduce repeat attendances, improve patient experience and support faster decision making.
However, successful implementation depends on more than bringing services together. Teams need to understand demand, diagnostic access, space, staffing, pathway protocols, booking processes and the performance measures that will be used to review impact.
For organisations focused on outpatient efficiency and pathway improvement, a structured feasibility review can help ensure one stop clinic models are introduced with clear purpose and practical delivery arrangements.
