Key News
Non-Attendance of Training Events
Following a review of the data surrounding training events we need to share with you all that the Training Hub are seeing increasingly high levels of last minute did not attends at the various training events that we offer.
A snapshot of the data shows we have an average DNA rate of 20% across all of our events including those conducted online and face-to-face. The average DNA is the same, regardless of role, place of work and whether the event has a cost.
As a result we will be implementing the following across all of our Training Hub events:
This event is funded, through the Training Hub, by public money. Non-attendance therefore comes at a cost to patients, the NHS, and the public. Spaces at our events might be limited and your absence may prevent others from benefiting from the opportunity. If you are no longer able to attend, please notify us by replying to this email as soon as possible. For cancellations less than 72 hours prior to the course start date and all ‘no-shows’, we reserve the right to charge a £50.00 administration fee.
We of course appreciate there will always be situations where colleagues have to cancel at the last moment for business or personal reasons, and we will of course look at these individual circumstances with due consideration.
We thank you in advance for your support in this matter.
NHS Staff Survey – General Practice
The Training Hub requires your support to encourage participation in the first GP Staff Survey to reach primary care in Coventry and Warwickshire this October.
Please may we ask that you encourage participation in your practices within Coventry & Warwickshire. If you have any questions about this survey, or accessing it, please contact pinky.sidhu2@nhs.net for more information.
Staff Survey Myth Busting | Staff Survey Poster | General Practice Staff Survey (FutureNHS)
Medical Education Team
Summer Update – Medical Education Team
We have now finished our education programme for the Summer, though we’ll still post external educational opportunities in our WhatsApp group.
We will be back on 4th September with the new ‘Death Certification process and the role of Medical Examiners’ session. This year we had topics such as Lipid management, Safeguarding and how to access Integrated Care Records (healthshare) – you can watch any sessions you have missed by going to https://cwth.isarriving.com/medical-education/ , clicking the ‘Presentations’ button and using the password CWEducation.
If you have any requests for topics or queries then please do email us on crgpa.education.cwth@nhs.net.
We wish our Education ST2, Afua, all the best as she moves on in August.
Hope you all have a nice summer, from Nish, Emma, Claire, Natalie, Sarah, and Maria!
Health and Wellbeing
Peer Wellbeing Sessions
We have partnered with MIND to run a series of facilitated Peer Wellbeing Sessions for you.
Peer wellbeing sessions offer a valuable platform for you to connect, share experiences,develop coping mechanisms and build a stronger sense of community, leading to a more positive and supportive environment in our workplace.
These one-hour virtual sessions running on Friday lunchtimes (12.30-1.30) offer a perfect opportunity to recharge.
Each session is divided into two parts:
- The first 30 minutes focus on learning about the session’s topic, exploring helpful tools and resources to manage your well-being, and discovering signposting for additional support
- The following 30 minutes provide a safe space for open discussion with your peers. Share your challenges, what works for you (and what doesn’t!), and brainstorm potential changes you can make to feel better
From September – February 2025 we are focusing on 4 themes – dates for the sessions are below. Once you register you can attend some or all sessions:
- Stress – 6th Sept, 4th Oct, 1st Nov, 6th Dec, 10th Jan and 14th Feb 2025
- Bereavement and Coping with Loss – 13th Sept, 11th Oct, 8th Nov, 13th Dec, 17th Jan and 14th Feb
- Men’s Wellbeing – 20th Sept, 18th Oct, 15th Nov, 24th Jan and 21st Feb
- Anger – 27th Sept, 25th Oct, 22nd Nov, 31st Jan and 28th Feb
If you are interested, click below to register
Leave feeling empowered, connected, and equipped with practical strategies to navigate the everyday!
Expressions of Interest: Menopause Task & Finish Group
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Menopause survey.
We are now ready to move forward by establishing a task and finish group to review the survey data and develop an action plan to address gaps and challenges faced.
Our aim is for the group to be diverse in gender, age, ethnicity, role and reflective of those who have shared their experiences with us.
We are keen to have representation from those:
- Seeing patients that are going through the Peri/Menopause
- Affected by the Peri/Menopause
- Supporting a member of staff who is going through/affected by the Peri/Menopause
- Responsible for developing policies
Members of the group will be appointed on a voluntary basis, meetings will usually be held virtually and frequency will be determined once the group has been formed.
We invite you to submit an expression of interest to sit on the task and finish group by clicking on the link below.
Expressions of Interest: Health and Wellbeing Champions
We are looking for Health and Wellbeing Champions in the following PCNs:
- South Warks – Arden PCN
- Coventry – Skyward PCN
- Coventry – Go West PCN
- Warwickshire North – Bedworth and Nuneaton PCN
- Warwickshire North – Warwickshire Rural PCN
We are looking for people who have a passion for health and wellbeing and those who are enthusiastic about supporting others to engage and partake in leading a healthier lifestyle.
The purpose of this role to embed staff health and wellbeing into all we do as organisations in primary care and to improve the understanding and importance of having good health.
Not sure what the role involves? Take a look at what our Health and Wellbeing Champions have been upto…
Our Health and Wellbeing Champions across C&W have introduced and developed fantastic initiatives, they have empowered colleagues to take control of their Health and Wellbeing and are often the first point of contact for staff members struggling.
- Introduced free sanitary wear in Practice staff toilets
- Lunchtime and evening walks
- Exercise support for staff
- Supporting staff to connect and be active with swimming, walking, running, pram strolling groups
- Delivering body composition measurement sessions
- Set up wellbeing corners for staff to access – giving them the tools and resources to manage stress
- Run virtual sessions for staff with local services sharing their offers including Talking Therapies
- Working in partnership with local council to offer staff discount on memberships
- Introduced an e-thank you scheme
- Worked with senior team to update menopause policy
- Run a ‘fit practice of the year’ competition to get staff moving
If you’re interested in role and would like further information please contact Rita via rita.roberts6@nhs.net
Feel confident in supporting your staff with their wellbeing
A member of your team is struggling, they have found the courage to talk to you and share that they are:
- Suffering with depression
- Worried about a family member living in the midst of the middle east crisis
- Struggling to cope following a bereavement
- Overwhelmed, stressed and anxious
- Feeling isolated
Do you feel confident in having an open conversation on these topics?…
Do you know when it’s appropriate to signpost to support and where to signpost to?…
We know that the wellbeing of our colleagues can be affected by all kinds of factors at work – workload, capacity, relationships with colleagues and the physical working environment. Likewise, factors outside of work including lack of sleep, financial worries, health conditions, caring responsibilities and other personal circumstances can also have an impact.
Our aim is to support you to feel confident having open conversations about mental health with your team members, know where to signpost to and where to go for support and guidance for yourself.
The accredited Mental Health Skills for Managers training delivered by MIND will support you with this.
Spaces are available in September, October and November – to register click the button below.
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB)
Freedom to Speak Up
Most speaking up happens through conversations with supervisors and line managers where challenges are raised and resolved quickly.
We strive for a culture where that is normal, everyday practice and encourage you to explore this option – it may well be the easiest and simplest way of resolving matters.
Please contact your Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, Dr Mai Elftise, who can support you to speak up if you feel unable to do so by other routes. You can contact her via pcftsu.guardian@nhs.net.
Further information on ‘Speaking Up’ can be found in our Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Policy for General Practice
I AM NOT A TYPO
Getting people names right is a basic principle for inclusion, yet so often, people names are mispronounced – it does impact people more than you may think.
Race Equality Matters is now collaborating with the campaign group I AM NOT A TYPO to understand how people feel when their names are autocorrected when typed.
Race Equality Matters wants to reach out and encourage technology companies, such as Microsoft, Google and Apple, to update their technology to better reflect our diverse society.
Please take a moment to fill out this survey (it takes less than a minute). Your feedback will help Race Equality Matters to take a case to these companies to listen to your voices.
All data will be annoymised and collected by Race Equality Matters. This survey is not ran by the Training Hub.
EDIB – Training Hub Update
In the last six months, we managed to officially launch our Freedom to Speak Up Policy and the EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging) Staff Network, REACH. We also continued our collaborative work on the C&W system-wide EDIB strategy. We held one workshop on Active Bystander training and other EDIB educational events through various platforms and meetings.
I receive a lot of questions about FTSUG and requests for visibility. I will be visiting General Practice to answer any questions and explain what we do as FTSUG. I am also happy to receive questions and suggestions through our email: pcftsu.guardian@nhs.net.
The next step in our REACH staff network is to hold regular meetings celebrating the Global Majority EDIB Calendar. The first two events will be South Asian Heritage Month and Black History Month. I welcome your ideas on how to celebrate these events and any other events that you would like us to include in the EDIB calendar. Email your thoughts and ideas to m.elftise@nhs.net.
The Importance of Belonging
As GP Trainees find themselves having their changeover day next week, I found the following research paper interesting on the importance of belonging in enabling doctors’ transition. This will subsequently impact staff satisfaction, retention, and patient safety.
Read more here: Enabling and Inhibiting Doctors’ Transitions: Introducing the Social Identity Resource and Belongingness Model (SIRB)
Training and CPD
CPD Funding – Update (July 2024)
In line with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) , we are pleased to confirm the continuation of the continuing professional development (CPD) investment for nursing associates, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (AHPs) for 2024/25. This equates to £333 of funding available per person.
The CPD funding is intended to be used as an individual development fund for frontline clinical professionals to:
- Equip them with new clinical skills to enhance the care they provide to patients and develop their careers.
- Support staff in moving between sectors, for example, by enabling nurses and AHPs in hospitals to move to new roles in primary care and community care, supporting improved primary care access and out of hospital care.
- Support the maintenance of their continuing professional registration by helping them to meet requirements from their professional regulators.
CPD funding is available to specific eligible professions, the headcount for which is used to calculate allocations. Registered nursing associates, registered nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (listed below) are eligible for the CPD funding.
Below is the list of 14 professions that are included in the AHP group.
- Art Therapist
- Chiropodist/Podiatrist
- Dietitian
- Drama Therapist
- Music Therapist
- Paramedic
- Occupational Therapist
- Operating Department Practitioner
- Orthoptist
- Osteopath
- Physiotherapist
- Prosthetist/Orthotist
- Radiographer
Learning and Development Opportunities
Mary Seacole programme
The Mary Seacole programme is an innovative and inspirational leadership development programme from the NHS Leadership Academy.
Specifically for those newly in or aspiring to be in a formal first time leadership role, the six month-long programme has been exclusively designed and developed for people working in health and social care.
For more information on the programme and key dates, please visit our webpage.
Future Leaders Programme
Are you interested in developing and exploring your leadership style, how to negotiate, influence and have insights into your personality traits and how to best work with other people?
Future Leaders is an insightful and empowering course for anyone in General Practice ready to take steps into leadership, or early on in their leadership journey, to understand what type of leader you are or might be, and how to progress on your leadership journey.
Our programme is free, comprises of 6 face-to-face sessions, running from January to June 2025 and applications are open! Applications will close on the 13th September and successful applicants will be informed by 1st October.
For more information and to confirm your eligibility, please visit our webpage.
Professional Curiosity Scheme
We are delighted to announce that Round 3 of the Professional Curiosity Scheme has begun and has now expanded to allow many more professionals to benefit from the scheme.
Having observed a multitude of positive outcomes from the previous rounds we have decided to expand the scheme to include senior speciality doctors, in addition to consultants and General Practitioners to benefit from this exciting opportunity.
We are also inviting additional roles to apply for shadow placements (including Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Managers and Pharmacists) in order to further develop collaboration between primary and secondary care.
Shadow placements will be allocated on a first come first served basis taking into account locality and specialty preferences.
Multidisciplinary Team
Occupational Therapy and Frailty
Did you know that Occupational Therapists (OT) have a range of clinical skills ideally suited to manage patients with frailty?
OT’s can support your Primary Care Network (PCN) with meeting the Direct Enhanced Service (DES) requirements in the following ways:
- Use healtheIntent data to identify cohorts of patients e.g. proactively reach out to patients with mild frailty
- Prevent deterioration and improve patient outcomes by helping patients to access relevant community services and social prescribing
- Help prevent Cardiovascular Disease by screening for hypertension, AF etc
- Complete a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
- Coordinate multidisciplinary team (MDT) working for Enhanced Health in Care Homes
- Reduce general practitioner (GP) time by providing a holistic assessment in the patient’s home
- Complete functional and formal assessments of cognition, complete annual dementia reviews
For more information on how OTs can support your practice/PCN, please get in touch with our Occupational Therapy Ambassador, Lizi Mattacola.
Physician Associate Preceptorships
Newly qualified Physician Associates (PA) can benefit from additional support and guidance during their first year in general practice. To meet this need, NHSE fund educational supervision and educational programmes for the Physician Associate in addition to additional mentorship and supervision within practice.This includes:
- Weekly education course delivered online with PA peers
- Peer case based tutorials as part of the programme
- Monthly session with Education Supervisor (ES) – working though work based assessments
- Supported Job and development plan with ES
- Support to GP Practice from PA Ambassador/ES regarding supervision requirements and expectations
- Mentorship provided by the training hub
- CPD funding for the PA
- Support with e-portfolio and working toward first appraisal
If your practice has employed a PA who is new to general practice or is thinking of employing a newly qualified PA, please contact our Physician Associate Ambassador, Emma Lomas, for further information. Additional information regarding the role is available on the training hub website here.
Can your practice support a Physician Associate student?
Supporting a Physician Associate (PA) student not only gives the GP an opportunity to teach and mentor but also allows them to understand the training and education that a PA must complete, as well as the development of the role within general practice. Additionally, if you already have an experienced PA employed in your practice who would like to be involved in mentorship, this would provide an opportunity for them to help mentor their future peers and further their development.
Remuneration for hosting a student is based on the placement required and varies between £100-£150 per day. Year 1 placements will be running throughout October and November, and Year 2 placements will commence from January 2025 on a rotational basis.
If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact the Training Hub at cw.traininghub@nhs.net.
GP News
First5 GP Event – Save the Date – 1st October
Our next First5 GP Event on Neurology will take place on the 1st October. More information around this event will follow soon.
Secure your place by registering here or clicking the image below.
Middle(Twenty)5 GP Event – Pensions – a dummies guide!
Join us for this event designed to help you understand the NHS Pension scheme and other general financial planning considerations.
Parental Leave Support Network
The next support circle is on the 24th September, starting at 10am at Kenilworth Methodist church or the 27th September at our new location, Binley Woods Village Hall as the scheme will not meet over July or August.
If you are a GP who is on parental leave or just returned to work, please subscribe to the Network, so we can share parental advice and learning events – and receive the link to join the WhatsApp group.
For more resources around parental leave, please visit our webpage.
Locum Buddy Scheme
In recognition of the challenges faced by GP locums in Coventry and Warwickshire, we are excited to introduce the GP Locum Buddy Scheme, an initiative designed to combat feelings of isolation and foster a sense of community among locum doctors.
For those whom are interested, we will pair locums together and encourage them to establish connections, providing each other with mutual support and camaraderie.
For more information, please visit our GP Locum webpage by clicking the button below.
General Practice Nursing News
Con-GRAD-ulations!
We would like to congratulate three of our brilliant Nursing Associates who graduated from Coventry University last month, Haley, Clare and Elisabeth!
We would also like to say a congratulations to Haley, who won the ‘Endeavour Award’. This award is given to a student who has demonstrated skills and attributes that go above and beyond throughout the course of their studies.Well done!
Your Nursing Career Here
The ‘Your Nursing Career Here’ campaign has officially launched across Coventry and Warwickshire!
This campaign aims to raise the profile of Nursing across our region, including General Practice Nursing.
For more information, or to view the campaign website, please click here.
If you are interested in submitting a case study, have achievements to share or just want more information about this campaign, please email comms.cwth@nhs.net.
Wise 5 – Late Career Nursing
If you would be interested in attending a session covering NHS Pensions and understanding your options, please send an expression of interest to cindy.ennis@nhs.net
New Nursing staff – get in touch!
If you are a new member of Nursing staff at a practice across Coventry and Warwickshire, or you know of a new GPN in your practice, please get in touch with us at cw.traninghub@nhs.net
By getting in touch with us, we can ensure you are able to access and be aware of the support available to General Practice Nurses in your area.
Immunisation Updates
For registered clinicians and HCSWs. We will be using the September PLT dates (12th, 18th, 19th and 25th) to hold our annual immunisation updates. Please use the links below to register:
- September 12th (for healthcare professionals) – 1pm – 5pm
- September 12th (HCSWs) – 1pm – 5pm
- September 18th (for healthcare professionals) – 1pm – 5pm
- September 19th (for healthcare professionals) – 1pm – 5pm
- September 25th (for healthcare professionals) – 1pm – 5pm
- September 25th (for HCSWs) – 1pm – 5pm
T-Level – Student Placement
We are welcoming expressions of interest from practices to host a T-Level student for a 5 day placement.
A T-Level is a Level 3 qualification, and following completion, students will be able to work as a HCA, and continue to study towards the Nursing Associate qualification. CWTH can support setting up your placement.
For further information or to express an interest in hosting a T-Level student, please email cwtraininghub.nhs.net
Advanced Practice
ACP News and Resources
Please see the following link to see all news and updates nationally from the centre of Advancing Practice:
Please see the following link to clarify the role of Advanced Practitioners:
For more information about digital badges / Eportfolio (supported route) please see:
ANP News and Resources
ANP Peer Support Sessions
ANP peer support / clinical supervision sessions have now started and can be organised as small face-to-face groups locally or via Microsoft teams.
Please click the following link and scroll down to the Nurse Peer Support & Clinical Supervision section to register your interest. Alternatively, you can contact Sue Thomas.
Regulation of advanced nursing and midwifery practitioners
Please see the following NMC link to keep up to date with the ongoing proposals for the future regulation of Advanced nursing and midwifery practitioners.
The Midlands Advanced Practice Forum
The Midlands Advanced Practice Forum is a professional community of healthcare practitioners based across the Midlands of the United Kingdom. The forum is dedicated to advancing the practice of healthcare by promoting collaboration, innovation, and excellence among its members.
Membership costs £10 per quarter of £40 for annual subscription which gives access to a host of resources, AP conferences and study days running within the midlands and connect with other Advanced Practice colleagues across the region.
For more information, please click here.
6th National Advanced Practice Conference – Tuesday 17th September
The 6th National Advanced Practice Conference will take place on Tuesday 17th September at the Clinical Sciences Building, UHCW NHS Trust between 9am and 5pm.
Delegates are invited to present posters on Advanced Practice at the CSB, UHCW NHS Trust, Coventry on Tuesday 17th September 2024. This is a great opportunity to showcase your work and demonstrate the 4 pillars of Advanced Practice in Clinical, Education, Leadership, Research/Audit and Service development.
Midlands Faculty for Advancing Practice Update Bulletin (July 2024)
The latest Midlands Faculty for Advancing Practice Update Bulletin is now available here. This edition includes the following topics: