Alliance Bite Size No.6 Nov 2024
Welcome to the sixth 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.
Let’s make Dorset Practices Green!
Climate change is one of the most significant challenges of our time. Healthcare providers have a unique opportunity to not only care for people but also contribute to reducing environmental impacts. The Alliance launched recently the Dorset Green Practice Guide for all practices at its recent membership event, Innovation in Green & Sustainable General Practice and our guide lists over 70 actions practices can take to improve their environmental sustainability as well as some quick and easy ways to save money in the process! Make sure you check out our Greener Practice webpage and help to make Dorset Green!
For those that missed the inspiring green event we’re also hosting a webinar on Wednesday 27th November 1.30-2.30pm to find out more so that all practices will be able to find out why it is important to act now. If you missed the invite contact the Alliance.
FREE! Training for all patient facing staff: Developing Positive Relationships with Patients & Colleagues. Book HERE
Do you often find it difficult to deal with angry & frustrated patients?
Do you find it difficult to manage these negative interactions and conflict?
Do you know how to diffuse tensions and improve relationships with patients?
Would you like to know how you can learn some strategies to support your own emotions and those of the people around you to diffuse stress and improve relationships with patients and colleagues?
The Alliance staff survey in 2024 showed very clearly that a lot of staff struggle to deal with difficult patients and believe that more should be done to deter the negative behaviour of patients. The Alliance and the Primary Care Training Hub are providing a training session for all patient facing staff on 28th November and future training sessions are also in development that will provide a range of support and strategies for staff.
Collective Action
The Alliance, alongside the LMC, is in discussion with NHSD about a phased approach to implementing a number of actions around collective action and further communications will be sent to all practices in the next few weeks.
Surveys Surveys Surveys!
There’s always a request for a survey in your inbox but the important ones need your attention! If you have a bit of time this week these surveys are the ones to complete!
The 2024 General Practice Staff Survey (GPSS) is now live. Have your chance to say what it’s like to work in general practice, what you like about it and what improvements you would like to see. The survey will run until Friday, 29 November. Participating staff members will have received their invitations in their inbox to complete the survey. Read more about this year’s general practice staff surgery on the SharePoint pages here.
Alliance Self Care about self care for people living in Dorset. The Alliance would like to understand what the public may need in addition to the services provided by general practice surgeries to help them take more care of themselves so that their health and wellbeing is maintained and even improved. This survey is being launched at the same time as the National Self Care Week 18-24 November 2024. It aims to provide insights and evidence that our healthcare system and patient communications can respond to.
Please support the Alliance in sharing the social media posts, including information in your newsletters and sharing on your websites. More information will be in the weekly primary care bulletin about this.
And don’t forget this one! Wes Streeting has launched the first wider consultation on the future of the NHS . This is an important opportunity for you to share your ideas thoughts and expectations. Please take a moment to log in https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/ and have your say.
Pharmacy First Webinar
The Alliance will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday 11th December for a Pharmacy First update presented by Richard Brown, Chief Officer, Community Pharmacy Dorset. If you haven’t received the invite and would like to attend, please email dorsetgpalliance@dorsetgp.nhs.uk
Vaccination Project
Thanks to the Vaccination Team in NHSD, general practice has been provided with some additional funding to support them increasing uptake in the pre-school cohort. The membership event in January will provide an update on progress and share some of the innovative and successful ways practices and PCNs are using to make a difference.
Opportunities
The Primary Care Training Hub is recruiting for an ACP Fellow. They are looking for an experienced clinician with a background in advanced clinical practice to work in a system leadership position providing Primary Care with support and guidance in the ongoing development of Advanced Clinical Practice. The post would suit an Advanced Clinical Practitioner looking to work part time or as an addition to their current clinical practice. Contact the PCTH with an expression of interest.
The NHSD Carers Steering Group is looking for carers to join their steering group. Please advertise on your social media and with your patient participation groups using this poster.
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