We spoke to three of the health champions who’ve been involved in introducing our model of Collaborative Practice at a GP surgery in Kent to find out what motivates them and why the work is so rewarding.
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“There have definitely been some subtle changes within the practice. It has more of a community feel now” says Assistant Practice Manager Vicky McCarthy from Meopham Medical Centre in Kent, when asked how implementing Collaborative Practice has made a difference within her practice.
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Jane Dawes tells how she attended Altogether Better’s Leadership programme slightly reluctantly, thinking it would be just another training programme. In fact, she says, the impact has been incredible.
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In this short 2 minute clip, Jane Dawes, Managing Partner from The Blackmore Vale Partnership in Shaftesbury, Dorset, talks about how introducing Collaborative Practice has changed the way the PCN operates.
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In this video, Practice Business Manager Kay Keane describes the process of working with Altogether Better, and why it’s had such a positive and lasting impact at her practice…
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Imagine you’re the mother of a two-year-old and a new baby, going to your GP practice to see a health visitor. You worry about waiting with a restless toddler and it’s hard to concentrate on what the health visitor is saying when you’re looking after both children.
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Staff at Alvanley Family Practice say that the number of patients coming in for appointments because of ‘vague symptoms, maybe because they’re lonely’ has dramatically reduced. They give their perspective on the impact having the champions involved as made.
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‘Collaborative Practice for me, as a GP Partner, has been one of the most rewarding pieces of work we’ve ever done.” GP Jaweeda Idoo describes the tangible changes she’s seen since implementing Collaborative Practice.
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“I stood at the bottom of that hill and said, I can't make it. A very nice lady said, just take your time… we're all here, we're going as fast as you are. And I got up the hill. I really haven't looked back since…” In this video, people give their thoughts on what becoming a champion has meant for them.
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All the champions’ activity is having a positive impact on the practice and the wellbeing of its patients. Judith says, “It’s definitely cut down on appointments. We can see it – you see a patient somewhere, like at a coffee morning, and you think, oh, they haven’t been in for an appointment recently.”
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Take a walk with staff, champions and patients from Alvanley Family Practice in this short video…
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“I thought, if the activities we can do as practice health champions get people out socialising and exercising, then that is something I approve of. I think we should all be physically active and I believe socialising can help with depression and all sorts of other problems. That was the main reason why I decided to be a practice health champion.”
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"Health and wellbeing is dependent on so much more than the odd ten minutes that a patient gets to spend with a GP, or the medication they might get prescribed… We have to find new ways to help patients stay well..."
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Having champions involved as a trusted part of the care home team is changing the culture of the home and the wellbeing of the people who live there.
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“There’s an elderly lady who comes to us fairly regularly, and sits in the waiting room. She’s on her own just now as her husband is in hospital and I often pass the time of day with her. I remember introducing a practice health champion to her and it was lovely to have them sitting talking together in the waiting room. There have been some lovely moments.”
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“Everyone in the Trust who has worked with the champions visibly lights up when their names are mentioned. They have been an absolute breath of fresh air, truly passionate and really creative. Our services will be better because of their involvement.”
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In his role as health champion, David has encouraged over 80 men to improve their health, helping them to lose a total of 205.6kg in weight.
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“I’ve been here for seven years and it’s always difficult to reach patients. Practice Health Champions have changed that. The staff are really motivated and we’re doing exciting things, things that interest our patients.”
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Altogether Better’s work with youth champions in 2014 prototyped a new way of working, encouraging a fresh relationship between young people and health and social care service providers and commissioners in Shropshire.
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We have increased our patient lists by 4,500 people and seen no increase in demand for either primary or secondary care consultations because we do things differently.
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