Alliance Bite Size No. 3 May 2024

Welcome to the third Alliance Bite Size for 2024 - an update from the Dorset General Practice Alliance which aims to provide a brief overview to all our member practices on how the Alliance is working to support you.

Making a difference. The Alliance membership of general practice in Dorset is playing a vital role in transforming healthcare in Dorset. The voice of general practice is continuing to be promoted and heard through the wider collaboration across the ICS and beyond. Professor Claire Fuller, the NHSE Medical Director of Primary Care accepted our invitation to meet the Alliance and Dorset ICS colleagues on 30th April in Dorchester and was impressed and enthusiastic about the inclusivity of all with the commitment to work together in Dorset. The focus on the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams work was discussed with ICB commitment that this work will progress at pace.

Sustainable General Practice in Dorset, The Alliance Project Steering Group for implementing actions and recommendations from the sustainability report has made considerable progress. Look out for the Staff Survey that has been sent to all practices. We really would like if every practice participated and if you work in general practice and would like to respond to the survey, please contact dorsetgpalliance@dorsetgp.nhs.uk

The National Association of Primary Care have completed their research and data analysis on the current workforce and activity in Dorset. It will be no surprise that the outputs from this work show that general practice activity has kept increasing, it is already at the limits of safe working, and it is not going to stop. Everyone working in general practice knows that, but what support and change is required and from where to address these challenges? Our first membership event will focus on this area.

The Alliance summit in May was jointly held with the Primary Care Training Hub and focused on strategies to support practices improve their workplace culture and staff wellbeing, Visit our webpage for the presentations and info from the summit and some useful resources Spring Summit 2024 — Dorset GP Alliance. Our next summit later this year will focus on innovative and best practice in primary care.

The Alliance is starting two new projects in May – a Green Estates project and we will also be supporting NHS Dorset with a piece of work on increasing vaccination uptake. More info to follow on both soon.

Alliance Nurse Lead Board Member. Clare Mechen is our Alliance Nurse Lead Board member and has set up a Community of Nurses network primary care. This network will provide nurses across Dorset an opportunity to come together and support each other with advice, best practice, training, and support. Please share this form with any nurse in your practice if they wish to join this network.

Engagement.   It is essential that primary care is represented at system wide meetings where decisions are made about us. If you are interested in supporting the Alliance in system meetings, please let us know and we will be able to call on you when opportunities arise.

What’s next?

Membership Events. The Alliance will be running a series of online membership events this year which will be open to everyone working in general practice. These events will update on the work the Alliance has been leading on this year and will provide an overview of the findings and what could be done if to support any practices that need to make changes or improve. The themes will include safe working; GP operating models; workplace culture, and integrated neighbourhood teams. Check out our annual planner for dates.

The Alliance and Community Interest Company formation. The Alliance will seek agreement at the June Board meeting to take a vote to all the practice members if they agree for the Alliance to transform into a Community Interest Company. There have been discussions about this over the past six months and the purpose for doing so and if any practice would like information regarding this please get in contact. The forms will be sent out mid-June with more info on what it means to be a member.

5th June Alliance Board Meeting. Papers for all Board meetings can be found on the website Resources — Dorset GP Alliance.

Please do get in touch with the Alliance if you need any further information by email dorsetgpalliance@dorsetgp.nhs.uk or visit the website Dorset GP Alliance