ABSTRACT
Historically, care pathways have been developed mainly for surgical procedures relating to the acute sector of healthcare. Care pathways can be adapted to fit different types of patients/users and the time frame used in the care pathway can also be adapted to suit the particular group of patients/users it covers. One of the basic premises underpinning care pathways is that professionals can identify a common set of tasks and goals for a coherent set of patients/users along some form of time line. How long a care pathway takes to develop depends on its size and complexity and the degree of readiness of professionals' organisation to embrace the approach of care pathways and the philosophy of continuous quality improvement. The National Pathways Association (NPA) maintains a list of its members and the care pathways they have developed which is updated annually and distributed to members of the NPA. It covers both NHS and private health organisations.
