Dorset General Practice Alliance brings local surgeries together to improve patient care
General practice surgery teams from across Dorset, Bournemouth, and Poole came together yesterday to share creative ways to improve patient care.
The event, organised by the Dorset General Practice Alliance, was held at Cobham Sports and Social Club in Wimborne. The Alliance supports general practice across the county, helping surgeries collaborate, share resources, and have a voice in NHS decision-making.
Nearly 100 healthcare professionals attended, with representatives from primary care networks in Purbeck, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Crane Valley, and Blackmore Vale, among others. A primary care network (PCN) is a group of general practice surgeries that work together to help people stay healthy by sharing staff like nurses, pharmacists, and mental health workers.
Discussions at the event covered key topics such as patient safety, staff wellbeing, blood pressure check initiatives and new ways to improve patient care.
Dr Ben Sharland, GP in Bournemouth and Deputy Chair of the Alliance, said, “This event was about celebrating success and sharing knowledge across general practice in Dorset. Surgeries are doing incredible work to improve the health of their communities, and by learning from each other, we can build on these successes.”
Attendees also explored community projects, financial sustainability, and strategies to maintain high-quality patient care as demand continues to grow. The event provided a space for new ideas to be discussed, with a view to potentially be rolled out across other practices.
Tim Goodson, Executive Officer of the Alliance, emphasised the importance of collaboration, “It’s fantastic to see so many professionals coming together to share what’s working well. When we collaborate, we find better ways to support patients and staff, and that benefits the whole community.”
The Alliance remains committed to supporting local surgeries with resources, training, and advocacy. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making the event a success.
For updates and more information on ongoing projects, visit www.dorsetgpalliance.co.uk