On behalf of the ELR GP Federation, can I offer my warmest best wishes to you and your staff for a Happy Christmas and prosperous 2018
2017 has been a year of significant progress, where the Federation has laid foundations and embedded itself within the primary care team across East Leicestershire and Rutland, delivering real results and opportunities for members.
Pressure on general practice is set to continue and the Federation will play a key role in supporting and developing primary care, to meet these challenges.
During the last year we have worked on a range of projects in the priority areas outlined below to help our members become more sustainable.
Local service delivery & business development
We have secured funding streams that will deliver over £750K of funding to member practices during FY17/18 and FY18/19. Projects include providing over 5,000 additional winter appointments (January – March 2017), community based services public health services (contraception, health checks and alcohol), a correspondence management pilot, hosting specialist diabetes nurses and supporting Rutland practices to develop a new patient app.
A key priority over the next year is to position the Federation to play a key role in the forthcoming urgent care procurement process and subsequent delivery on behalf of members. We will also support practices with demand management, implement an inter-practice referral process for IUD/S services and pursue further new business opportunities.
Resilience and sustainability in primary healthcare
We have been working with members to improve the efficiency of service delivery, including implementing the Purchase Direct scheme which has identified over £100k of savings.
We have piloted a diagnostic tool with one practice to review the team’s approach to the management of their estate and are developing a buildings management offer for this practice, with a view to extending the offer across a range of practices.
We are investigating a range of other opportunities to improve back office efficiency.
Transformation and Innovation
We have supported practices develop new partnership arrangements and have developed a ‘toolkit’ to provide practical guidance for practices who wish to develop joint working arrangements.
A key objective for the next year is to support the emerging six Localities develop effective hub working and implement plans for joint and integrated working and provide more care locally. This will include facilitating the work to make best use of the available transformation funds to improve efficiency and make best use of resources to create sustainable primary care services and enhance the offer to our patients.
The Federation will therefore continue to act as a key ‘change agent’; enabling and facilitating joint working, innovation and transformation across East Leicestershire and Rutland.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2018 when we look forward to continuing to work with you and on your behalf.
With best wishes
James Watkins
Chief Operating Officer
