27
apr
0

Podcast – Why General Practice needs Social Prescribing Link Workers

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

Is now the right time to making the most of the funded social prescribing link worker roles? Christiana Melam, Chief Executive at the National Association of Link Workers and Nicola Gitsham, Head of Social Prescribing at NHS England think so. Here, they talk to Ben about the history of the role, how practices and PCNs can maximise holistic patient care through the employment of the link workers and why they are a crucial element in managing the impact and the effects of the Covid-19 crisis.

Introductions (1:14)

The evolution of the link worker role (1:21)

What has been the impact of the pandemic on social prescribing link workers? (2:50)

How has the role changed in recent weeks? (7:56)

Why the link workers are the key to maintaining joined up patient care during the pandemic (9:16)

Recruitment of a social prescribing link worker (11:21)

Maximising the effectiveness of a social prescribing link worker in practice (12:53)

NHS England and NALW resources (14:42)

 

NHS England links, contacts and resources:

Guidance on the role social prescribing link workers in supporting the response to COVID 19

GP Preparedness Letter: 27 March and Covid/GP Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) updated 6 April set out the role of the SPLW in supporting the response to COVID19

“Social prescribing link workers form part of the multidisciplinary teams in primary care networks (PCNs) and are uniquely placed to work closely with GPs, local authorities, health and care professionals and voluntary sector partners to coordinate support for these people whilst they are self-isolating.”

Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES) Specification 2020/21:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/network-contract-des-specification-pcn-requirements-entitlements-2020-21.pdf

Key sections for social prescribing link workers:

Learning and development (Annex B/B3.2)

Referrals to social prescribing link workers must be recorded using the SNOMED codes (Annex B/B3.6)

All the additional roles employed by a PCN or engaged via a sub-contract (including social prescribing link workers) must have access to other healthcare professionals, electronic ‘live’ and paper based record systems of the PCN’s Core Network Practices (section 6.4.1.)

Details on the NHSE delivery support offer

Social prescribing collaborative platform – with active discussion forum. To sign up to the collaborative platform, email england.socialprescribing@nhs.net

Weekly webinars for SP link workers specific to the  COVID-19 response. More information is on the collaborative platform.

Regional learning coordinators facilitate virtual peer support for link workers and providing additional support and information.  Contact details available from england.socialprescribing@nhs.net

Existing resources and support for social prescribing link workers (such as ) : https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/support-and-resources/

Regional facilitators and regional delivery teams available to support recruitment of link workers

Nicola has also included a blog she did for the National Academy of Social Prescribing: http://www.socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/time-to-come-together/

 

National Association of Link Workers resources and contacts:

Covid 19-Hub

Learning syllabus

Code of practice

Other resources

19
apr
0

Podcast – Alliance for Better Care – Covid from the top…the ABC of a Federation’s approach

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

Ben is joined this week by Katherine Saunders, Chief Executive, and Pramit Patel, Medical Director, from Alliance for Better Care; a GP federation covering 49 practices, within 10 primary care networks, across East Surrey and West Sussex. Together, they explain how the federation is meeting the challenges presented by the Covid-19 crisis in their local area by setting up multi-disciplinary clinical decision units within the community, redesigning the home visiting process, identifying clear roles and responsibilities within their existing staffing models – and working to put general practice at the heart of their response.

Introductions (0:22)

The role of Alliance for Better Care (ABC) and the Covid-19 response (1:18)

The relationship with primary care (2:06)

Setting up a Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) within a community setting (2:45)

Managing patient exposure within the CDU (4:23)

Multi-disciplinary team working during a pandemic (5:18)

Integrating primary care into the wider system (6:29)

Sharing learning, materials and experiences (8:12)

How are local practices coping? (9:03)

Home Visiting (10:26)

Access to data and its importance (12:04)

How to manage demand and agree priorities with local partners (12:59)

Procurement of new systems and software (14:39)

The capacity to cope: roles, responsibilities and managing staffing levels (15:44)

Communication and engagement (17:45)

Getting in touch (19:02)

Katherine is contactable via email: katherine.saunders2@nhs.net

The Alliance for Better Care website

Garvani Ltd interview with ABC

16
apr
0

Podcast – Tara Humphrey – Project Managing a Pandemic (Part 2)

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

Tara Humphrey, Project Management expert supporting the development of Primary Care Networks and GP Federations, returns for the second in a series of podcasts focused on practical demands and planning in primary care, during the pandemic. This week, Tara and Ben discuss the differences and challenges in the approaches from practices, networks and federations, getting the staffing balance right and maintaining business continuity and personal resilience within a crisis.

Introductions (0:12)

What’s happening in Tara’s world right now? (0:35)

Financial management and planning (01:23)

Redistribution of an underspend and the development fund (02:00)

Supporting vulnerable patients (03:07)

Introduction of new roles / recruitment options within a network (03:42)

A federation’s approach to incorporating new roles (05:15)

How does a practice buddy system work? (05:48)

Introducing and implementing new SOPs across networks and practices (06:39)

Joint working from a top down perspective… (808:49)

… versus expectation at practice level (09:53)

The pace of change and anticipating new demands (10:30)

How are practices coping overall? (11:44)

Putting emotional support in place for GPs (13:14)

The importance of practice managers and protecting the well-being of wider practice staff (14:00)

Working from home and sustainability (14:54)

What’s next for Tara? (15:17)

…and for Ben? (16:10)

Find out more about Tara Humphrey:

13
apr
0

Podcast – James Gransby – Finance in the time of coronavirus

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

Specialist Medical Accountant James Gransby returns to the Ockham podcast to give his invaluable advice and assessment of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on primary care finances. What is currently being offered by the government by way of support for individuals, practices and networks, where are the landmines and what should we be mindful of now and going forwards?

Introductions (0:09)

What is in place to support practices right now? (0:19)

The Coronavirus Act 2020: Implications for general practice explained (1:15)

‘Furloughing’ of staff (3:14)

The overall picture for primary care in summary (5:16)

How are PCNs affected? (5:56)

How to reflect a pandemic within a balance sheet (8:00)

The national return to work scheme (8:51)

Death in service (11:50)

How worried should we be about the financial impact? (12:36)

Relaxation of pension rules (13:35)

Getting in touch (15:35)

James is contactable via email: James.Gransby@rsmuk.com

https://www.rsmuk.com/our-people/james-gransby

9
apr
0

Podcast – Cassandra Baiano & Ron McDonald – Access to practical support during a health crisis

Posted by PodcastNo Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

Cassandra Baiano and Ron McDonald are both medical students within the Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine (ScotGEM) programme at the University of St Andrews. Inspired by the quality improvement and agents of change portion of their curriculum, they have created an innovative application, HealthSHIP, which can offer support to health and social care workers in balancing the practical aspects of their home lives alongside the demands of working on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis. Here, they talk to Ben about the inception of the app, the value of voluntary support during the pandemic and why healthcare students, in particular, can be a crucial source of assistance during these difficult times.

Introductions (0:10)

The ScotGEM Programme update (0:23)

How HealthSHIP began (1:30)

Why healthcare students? (2:25)

Where did the idea come from? (3:07)

HealthSHIP right now (3:33)

How does it work in practice? (s4:49)

What areas are covered and where does HealthSHIP fit alongside the national voluntary schemes? (5:36)

When was HealthSHIP launched and which tasks are being filled? (6:44)

Access and signup information (7:45)

Requesting support and types of support on offer for general practice (9:29)

Getting in touch and contact information (11:42)

Web: http://healthship.org
email: hello@healthship.org
Twitter: @HealthSHIP_UK

Page 53 of 95
1515253545595