13
dec
0

Podcast – Tom Holdsworth & Julia Clifford – Supporting frailty in Sheffield

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

Frailty and the introduction of a targeted service to better meet the needs of those living locally with frailty issues was high on the agenda of Townships 1 PCN Clinical Director and GP Dr Tom Holdsworth. Once CCG funding had been successfully secured, the challenge to recruit a clinical project lead was proving tricky and Tom was eventually convinced by a colleague that an Occupational Therapist, in the form of Julia Clifford, might be the answer. One year on from Julia’s appointment and following a formal evaluation of the service, both Tom and Julia join Ben to discuss all aspects of the transformative approach they are taking in Sheffield to support their frail populations. From Tom’s initial concerns about whether an OT could provide what was needed, to the service specification and what Julia can offer, working collaboratively with the other additional roles team, and the service evaluation findings, this week’s episode is another truly inspirational offering to round off the 2021 podcast series.

Introductions (0:26)

The origins of ‘Townships 1’ PCN (0:38)

How was the service first introduced? (0:58)

Why a project focused on supporting frailty? (2:57)

The story behind recruiting an Occupational Therapist (OT) for the project role (3:59)

Preconceptions of what an OT could offer (4:43)

What attracted Julia to the role? (5:08)

Evaluating progress to date (5:57)

What are the most common scenarios and interventions? Where is Julia able to make the biggest impact? (8:08)

Alignment with the PCN’s ARRS strategy (9:58)

Making the most of the ARRS funding pot (10:52)

Formal service evaluation findings (12:03)

Are the practices feeling the impact? (13:45)

The risk of uncovering unmet need (14:25)

Continuing to progress amongst competing demands (14:54)

Working towards the anticipatory care specification (16:46)

Lessons learned from Julia’s perspective (18:29)

The full, published evaluation of the frailty project can be found here.

If you are interested in learning more, Tom and Julia are very happy to be contacted via their respective emails.

6
dec
0

Podcast – Practice Index – Preparing for the April 2022 financial changes (and challenges)

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

April 2022 marks a significant turning point in terms of finances for both employers and employees within primary care, as changes to the National Living Wage are made, the new Health and Social Care Levy comes into force and there are additional implications for those paying into the NHS Pensions Scheme. Regular podcast guest and primary care accountancy guru James Gransby returns to walk us through all the updates and what these could mean in real terms for practices and staff as individuals. James is joined by Practice Index panel members Nicola Davies and Claire Houston who reflect on the significance of the changes, how they can best prepare themselves (and their staff) as Practice Managers, and how they might mitigate the risks, and the knock on effect, on the ground.

Introductions (0:30)

Changes to the National Living Wage (1:00)

The Health and Social Care Levy (1:38)

The knock-on effect on employers and employees (2:32)

Impact from a practice perspective (3:07)

Nicola’s reaction / pressure on staff (4:12)

Claire’s views / benchmarking performance in line with finance (6:09)

Implications for recruitment (7:41)

How can we make our vacancies more attractive to potential applicants? (8:49)

Pitting practice against practice (9:41)

Pensions changes in summary (10:53)

The effect of the McCloud Judgement (11:40)

Reviewing personal pensions choices (12:13)

How can we ensure everyone is aware of what’s coming? (16:12)

Where accountancy firms can help (18:05)

Will the additional costs be considered centrally? (19:17)

Contractual pressures (20:21)

Communication is key (21:43)

What else do we need to be aware of right now? (23:17)

The Practice Index benchmarking tool Claire mentioned can be found here

The Practice Index website is here

For all enquiries, please contact James Dillon here or Ben Gowland here

29
nov
0

Podcast – Paul Gordon – NHS Pensions…. reloaded!

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

There have been some notable developments in the NHS pensions world since we last caught up with expert Paul Gordon in the spring of 2020. Luckily, Paul is back to bring us up to speed and to explain in simple terms where things have changed, the impact of a highly publicised age discrimination case, what the changes mean in practice for GPs and primary care staff on the ground, the key considerations for individuals based on their circumstances and most importantly, making sure those eligible are able to access the annual allowance related government endorsed compensation scheme, the deadline for this and how to determine eligibility. Listen now for a full overview of all the crucial pensions need to knows, and where to go to find out more.

Introduction (0:09)

The main developments and changes, in summary (0:40)

The McCloud judgement (1:46)

Th resulting impact of the age discrimination case findings (2:08)

A choice of two sets of benefits (3:46)

Why would I opt into the newer scheme? (5:30)

Remaining in the ‘original’ scheme (6:39)

Determining retirement age and associated options at that time (9:08)

Retirement age and the McCloud judgement (10:42)

Transition to the new scheme and what this means in real terms (13:00)

Being mindful of the annual allowance… (14:28)

Annual allowance tax charges (16:06)

Claiming compensation for annual allowance excess tax charges (17:22)

Who is eligible for compensation? (18:31)

‘The remedy period’ and what this means for individual contributions, allowances & benefits (19:19)

Outlining the key differences between old and new pension schemes (20:16)

What employers should be aware of (21:18)

Finding out more (22:54)

 

To request the last 7 years’ worth of annual allowance growth figures, please ring NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBA) on 0300 330 1346.

The deadline for compensation claims relating to the 19/20 tax year and the annual allowance tax charge growth and excess payments is 11 February 2022. Claimants will need to complete a Scheme Pays Election form (available via Primary Care Support England) and a compensation form. Further information can be found here.

22
nov
0

Podcast – Tara Humphrey – Where are PCNs right now?

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

The times they are a-changin’ and as we enter the third year since the formation of primary care networks (PCNs), Ben is joined by podcast regular and primary care management guru Tara Humphrey to take stock of the current situation in general practice. Are we still surviving, rather than thriving? What gains have been made over the last 28 months? Where do the pressures lie and where are the incumbent Clinical Directors up to in their thinking of where to go next in taking their networks forward and/or handing on responsibility to a new leader? Have we made any progress in making sure the work of individual practices intertwines with network goals and our overall vision? Do we still have an overall vision? All this and more in this week’s fascinating episode…

Introduction (0:09)

An update from Tara (0:26)

What are the key challenges in the PCN world currently? (1:23)

The pressure of the new delivery requirements (1:58)

How a PCN Manager can help (4:00)

The link between PCN Manager and ARRS staff (5:03)

Managing capacity and keeping up (5:44)

Recent BMA reaction and the impact of this on the ground (6:51)

Bridging the gap between practices and PCN (7:43)

Taking stock at this point in the PCN journey (9:55)

Face to face versus virtual working 11:10

Next steps into the future (s11:49)

Passing on the baton of Clinical Directorship (13:04)

Balancing hierarchical structure (13:57)

Re-establishment of the PCN purpose and why this is so important (15:43)

Getting in touch (17:37)

 

To connect with Tara and to access all the available resources on offer from THC Primary Care, do check out:

The THC Primary Care website

The Business of Healthcare Podcast to get the latest insights into business and management behind the scenes in primary care.

Tara’s Twitter and LinkedIn accounts

Applications for the second round of the incredibly popular New to General Practice Partnership training programme are open! If you are considering stepping into partnership, or are a newly appointed GP partner, the Ockham Health / THC Primary Care / McCartney Health Associates training course is scheduled to begin again in February 2022. If you would like to know more, or you would like to sign up, please get in touch with Ben at ben@ockham.healthcare

15
nov
0

Podcast – Nusrat Kausar – The value of a dietitian in primary care

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

On her almost first anniversary of working in primary care, Nusrat Kausar joins Ben on the podcast this week to discuss the parameters of her role as a dietitian specialising in supporting pre-diabetic patients and those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Based in a West Yorkshire PCN, Nusrat fills us in on her experiences so far; how her previous roles have influenced her journey into general practice, the value that dietitians can add in terms of supporting the PCN and her patients, her top tips for attracting, keeping and getting the most from a good dietitian, how dietitians can blend in seamlessly with existing staff (and the more newly established additional roles teams) and turning to the future, how she foresees the role developing even further.

Introduction (1:10)

Designing a job description (1:56)

Nusrat’s background as a dietitian (2:40)

Making the move into primary care (3:29)

What does a day in the life of a dietitian look like? (4:06)

The referral process and caseload (4:37)

PCN demographic and how each practice works within the system (5:47)

Maximising service engagement (6:17)

Monitoring the impact so far (7:28)

How is the service making a difference to patients? (8:26)

Working alongside other ARRS team members (9:24)

Encouraging a sense of belonging (10:12)

Line management and clinical supervision (11:21)

How can PCNs make the best use of their dietitian? (12:03)

Is a more flexible approach to role design better? (13:28)

Nusrat’s top tips for recruiting and retaining a dietitian (15:09)

Advice for dietitians who are considering working in general practice (16:18)

Looking ahead: How will the role develop going forwards? (17:44)

Recommended resources (19:11)

Applications for the second round of the incredibly popular New to General Practice Partnership training programme are now open! If you are considering stepping into partnership, or are a newly appointed GP partner, our training course scheduled to begin again in February 2022, in collaboration with McCartney Health Associates and THC Primary Care, might just be for you. If you’d like to know more, or if you’re already sold and keen to sign up, please get in touch with Ben at ben@ockham.healthcare

Page 30 of 89
1282930313289