The theme for this edition is collaboration. There have been several recent reports and policy directives around working together, across primary care and beyond primary care, to develop and work across neighbourhoods, to refer patients to community pharmacy; addressing the primary/secondary care interface and most importantly to empower patients and support them to improve their own health.
There are risks – integrated care systems (ISCs), or primary care networks (PCNs) may not do anything – waiting for permission – or instruction to proceed; leading to minimal early change and missing the opportunity to lead different ways of working which may resolve some of the pressures. There is the risk of parts of the system changing, but not having an open and honest dialogue and truly listening to the constraints others are facing in the system, which may lead to patients being bounced between services.
Alternatively, by focusing on areas for change, which are manageable and will make a meaningful difference, involving every party, including patients; and listening to the constraints all are facing, and what could work, then working through incremental ways to make a difference for the longer term, we can see change for the better. Workforce will be an issue, this is one of the strongest reasons we need to work differently, and this can start at neighbourhood level, taking one step, or pathway, at a time. Open honest discussions will reduce the risk of future conflict and may enable the potential of all in the system to improve timely care for the local population.
PCC can help to facilitate discussions, and support ICSs to stocktake progress and next steps, contact enquiries@pcc-cic.org.uk
I hope you enjoy this edition of PCC Insight, which reflects on the Hewitt report, the Fuller Stocktake; considers how to turn conflict into collaboration and considers ways of working with community pharmacy and with the multi-disciplinary team in primary care.
Last Updated on 1 June 2023
