On Friday I met the Horsham Central Primary Care Network team a collaboration between Orchard, Riverside, Park and Holbrook surgeries bringing together a multidisciplinary team to improve patient wellbeing including: social prescribers, mental health social prescribers, health and wellbeing coaches and care co-ordinators.
None of these professionals detract from the work of the GP, they enhance it. Our knowledge of how best to treat patients has moved on dramatically in recent decades and new approaches working closely with the GP as a team can deliver better outcomes for patients. This recognises that modern medicine has much to offer in tackling underlying health issues alongside or instead of pharmacological interventions. Tailored support for patients, where necessary tackling issues such as loneliness or poor fitness, can reap huge medical dividends.
To help with isolation, the PCN have setup the Horsham District Befriends matching patients with volunteer befriends who help that person join groups and gain confidence. As today marks the start of Volunteers Week I would like to thank all those volunteer befrienders (as well as all volunteers across the area) for the positive impact they have on the local community.
The PCN is receiving positive reviews and data on their work and patients are seeing improvements in their physical and mental health.
The PCN have also established specific support sessions including from those going through the menopause through to patients living with Dementia. The PCN are targeting additional support to young people who regularly feel the need to seek help from their GP. They have been working closely with the team delivering the Horsham Young Peoples’ Mental Health Hub which I am delighted to say after a lot of campaigning and support is close to launch.
Speed of access to GP appointments and non-clinical support varies from practice to practice in Horsham. I recently met the Sussex NHS ICB and in a move I encouraged them to take, they are conducting a study of best practice across the county. This work is set to be completed later in the summer and I am very keen to hear from the ICB what can be done to help spread best practice and support practices in improving patient care.
Photo Credit: Jeremy with the Horsham Central PCN team.
