It seems hard to believe that it’s now nearly nine months since Excellence in Practice (EiP) was first launched. Thank you to everyone that has used the web-site and/or worked with our Team. 427 people have used our web-site and about 33% are regular users – we are also delighted to see that there are still first time users each month. In terms of the EiP support offers, almost half the practices in the County have been in touch with our team to get help, advice and direct input.
Just after launch our new friend Omicron came along and disrupted all our hopes that we were starting to emerge from the pandemic. This meant that the EiP team - like all of you - ended up responding to the immediate priorities. We set up the Urgent Resilience Response Team and we are delighted that NHS Kernow has invested further funding in the service so we will be working hard to get more people on board – particularly ahead of next winter.
Half-day facilitation still available
We want to remind all practices that the offer of a half-day facilitated session is still available – a number of practices expressed interest but with all the other pressures, some practices have not been able to set their sessions up yet. Please email kernowhealthcic.eip@nhs.net if you would like to plan a session for your practice. We have asked KHCIC for costs to provide weekday afternoon urgent cover for practices, should they wish to apply to the CCG to run the session during the week.
IT experts
Two of our new associates have particular skill and experience about practice IT systems and utilising the date that they can generate to help look at the ways in which the practice is the ever-rising managing demand. Whist there are no magic bullets it can be helpful to understand more about the way in which you are working and opportunities to manage demand differently. We can also offer training and support so that staff, including people in the growing ARRS’s workforce make better use of clinical systems.
We are offering a range of practical and experienced project management support to practices planning major changes or facing particular challenges such as mergers, service re-design or resilience concerns. Our associates have experience of pharmacy contracting and we will be interested to hear from practices who would like help on related topics including maximising their dispensing income.
Workforce planning
Workforce issues are as elsewhere in the country a key concern for practices, so we have been working with the Cornwall Training Hub to provide even more support for recruitment and retention. Kernow Health CIC can offer support with workforce planning as well as practical support with all aspects of employment.
Relocation grants
Thanks to two separate successful bids for national funding, we are now able to offer up to a £10,000 relocation grant to GP’s moving into Cornwall in practices that have struggled to recruit and/or face additional challenges, such as working in areas of deprivation or extreme rurality. We are working closely with GP trainers to retain GP’s who train in Cornwall or who want to come and work here.
Recently qualified doctors have told us that the transition from training into a first job can be daunting and that whilst the New to Practice scheme is helpful its often the more immediate practical advice and support in their practice which would make a difference. We have secured £75,000 from national recruitment and retention funding to pilot a scheme which would offer extra in practice support during the first transition year. More details as soon as the scheme is finalised …
In-person primary care recruitment
Thank you to all the practices who supported the whole system virtual recruitment event earlier this year. We hope to see many of you at St Austell Conference Centre on Wednesday 25th May for a dedicated primary care recruitment event. We are working closely with GP trainers and the Cornwall Training Hub to plan this face-to-face event, which will include opportunities for local GP trainees to meet practices with vacancies and be advertised nationally to offer those thinking of relocating an opportunity to come and find out more. More details to follow….
What can we help with?
We are keen to support both practices and PCN’s so please tell us whether we are offering the types of help you need or if you think there are gaps – we have a wide range of skills already available and if we are not the right people to help, we will often know a person who can!
Looking ahead to the coming year, we have some ideas about support which may be useful, but we would love your feedback on: