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Key News
General Practice Mentoring
CWTH offers a workforce-wide mentoring scheme, building on the success of the previous GP scheme. It was widely recognised that everyone across our workforce could benefit from accessing this service, and as a result, the General Practice Mentoring scheme is now available to all working in Coventry and Warwickshire across General Practice.
But what is mentoring and why would you benefit?
Many people assume mentoring is only for those facing challenges, but that’s not the case. Mentoring provides an opportunity for guided conversations with someone outside of your home and workplace, who understands your role and the environment you work in. Our mentors have undergone thorough training and have extensive experience in General Practice, with an understanding of the local community and system.
What is the offer?
- 6 months of access to a mentor of your choice, with the option to extend.
- Flexibility in how and where sessions are conducted.
- A wide range of experienced mentors from across General Practice.
- Free and confidential support.
How can I access this offer?
Access is via our registration form. Once registered,you will then be sent the pack of Mentors to choose from, make your request and the match will be made!
If there are any queries or you want more information please contact the programme lead – Dr Sarah Hall or visit our webpage.
“The mentoring sessions were an opportunity to discuss all aspects of life, frustrations with work, career aspirations, even job interview advice – in a non judgemental space, which allowed an openness and honesty that you might not be comfortable with when chatting to colleagues or employers in your surgery“
Mentee – Coventry and Warwickshire
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Page Launch!
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new webpage, dedicated to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB).
Our vision is to support a workforce that is thriving in a culture that respects, values, and celebrates differences and how this enriches the workplace and improves their patients’ care.
Whether you are seeking information on speaking up, wanting to join and catch up on staff network events or would like to take a look at how we are working towards our vision – you will find this and more on our new webpage below.
NETS 2024
The National Education and Training Survey (NETS) is the voice of the current and future healthcare workforce. It is the only national survey open to all students, trainees and doctors and dentists undertaking a practice placement or training post in healthcare services across England.
The NETS is available to complete here until 11:59pm on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
Medical Education Team
Medical Education Team
Primary Care in Practice
Primary Care in Practice (PCiP) is designed to help navigate the world of Primary Care sharing insights into Population Health, Integrated Care Systems, Primary Care Networks and Finance in primary care. It will also cover leadership and coaching and mentoring.
This programme is open, free of charge to everyone new to Primary Care in Coventry and Warwickshire. The sessions will be held live, hosted by local GPs Maria Ceurstemont and Sarah Hall. They will be held as a combination of virtual sessions (through Zoom) and face-to-face sessions.
The first Primary Care in Practice session will be held on the 11th October. To join this session or for more information, please contact crgpa.education.cwth@nhs.net
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 all four places, ARRS (MDT) and non-clinical roles.
Members of the group will be required to meet for 1 hour monthly from November 2024 to March 2025. Meetings will likely be held virtually.
We invite you to submit an expression of interest to sit on the task and finish group by clicking on the link below.
Registration for this group will close on Friday 18th October 2024.
How to be more assertive and get what you want
Open to anyone working in and supporting General Practice!
Do you feel confident about asking for what you need to do your job well, and speaking up when things aren’t working?
If not, or you know your confidence could do with a boost, you’re invited to attend an upcoming training on “How to be more assertive and get what you want”.
This 60 minute session will be led by Dr Rachel Morris, host of the You Are Not A Frog podcast and Dr Claire Kaye, Executive Career Coach on Wednesday 16th October at 12:30pm.
You’ll learn:
- How to work out what YOU need
- How to communicate this more effectively
- A toolbox of skills and tips you can use to find your assertiveness sweet spot
Suicide Prevention & Awareness
This October we are working with MIND to deliver Suicide Awareness training to colleagues working in and supporting General Practice.
This virtual course provides you with a basic understanding of how someone might come to think about suicide, signs to look out for and how to keep someone safe who is considering suicide.
You will learn:
- Suicide the facts: a brief overview of suicide and our community
- Recognising the Warning Signs: Delves into suicidal thoughts, behaviours and potential causes, including the “ripple effect” on communities.
- Suicide Safety: Provides practical guidance signposting support.
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB)
Shape the EDI Improvement Plan for Primary Care – For Trainees/Students/IMGs
NHS England would like to invite trainees, students and learners on placement in primary care or who are considering working in primary care to help shape our new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Improvement Plan for primary care. On 10 October 2024 at 1.00-3.00pm, we will be hosting an online session where you will have the opportunity to hear about the work currently underway and be invited to share your reflections and shape this new national resource.
As members of our future workforce, we would value your insights on what you would like to see from your future employers. To sign up, please register here: Developing an EDI Plan for Primary Care: Trainees, students and international medical graduates listening event
Shape the EDI Improvement Plan for Primary Care – Clinical and Non-Clinical Roles
NHS England is pleased to invite colleagues from all four sectors of primary care, in both clinical and non-clinical roles, to help shape a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Improvement Plan for primary care. We are facilitating a number of engagement sessions where you can hear about the work underway to develop an EDI Improvement Plan specifically for primary care. During these sessions, you will have the opportunity to contribute to this exciting piece of work, share your reflections and help us co-design and shape this new national resource. There are three virtual dates for you to choose from, please click on the links to book your space:
Freedom to Speak Up
Your Freedom To Speak Up Guardian (FTSUG) is here to help you raise concerns including unacceptable health care practices, unprofessional behaviours, bullying, fraud and racism or discrimination.
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.
Training and CPD
Expressions of Interest
Advanced Practitioners
- MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Funded places)
- MSc Advanced Practitioner top-up (Funded places)
If you would like to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for either of these options, please respond with; name of nominated colleague, their current role, preferred programme and email address.
An application form and conditions of funding will then be sent for completion by the employer and applicant, in preparation for this you will also need to find an appropriately qualified supervisor. Please ensure your nominated colleague meets all of the course criteria before submitting an EOI. We will only accept expressions of interest that are submitted through your Practice/PCN to cw.traininghub@nhs.net. Please see this link for a list of providers and course dates.
Expressions of Interest – Fundamentals of General Practice
We are delighted to confirm that we are able to offer NHSE funded places for 2024/25 on the following course, commencing in January 2025 – Fundamentals of General Practice – MODULE / BSC / ADVDIP / GRADCERT / PGCERT– Birmingham City University
If you would like to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for this course, we ask that they are submitted through your employer.
Non-Clinical Funded Training
In response to the recent Training Needs Analysis, we are pleased to offer the following funded courses for non-clinical colleagues:
- An Introduction to Medical Terminology (2 x 2 hours virtual session) – 8/10th October | 26/28th November
- Chaperone Training (Virtual session) – 12th November | 12th December
The following courses are not yet available to book. Further details will follow once confirmed.
- The New CQC Framework and Preparing for Inspection (2 x 2 half-days virtual session) – Dates TBC
- Bid Writing (Face-to-face session) – Thursday 7th November (Further details to follow)
- Aspiring PMs (Face-to-face session, venue TBC – 2 per PCN limit)
- This is a series of 4 x half day sessions (*plus a virtual celebration event) taking place on the 22nd Oct, 19th Nov, 10th Dec, 21 Jan, 13.30 – 16.30 (*22 April)
- Session 1 – Self-development journey to becoming a successful practice manager
- Session 2 – Navigating the NHS system and the importance of managing relationships
- Session 3 – Understanding operational areas within general practice including HR/Finance/processes
- Session 4 – Planning and preparation for operational leadership challenges and what next
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.
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.
Clinical Pharmacists Conference – 14th November
Coventry & Warwickshire Training Hub will be hosting our fourth Clinical Pharmacist Conference on the 14th November.
We will be:
- Learning how to interpret spirometry results.
- Hearing from local leaders about respiratory guidelines and interventions.
- Considering how we include brief advice on nutrition and exercise in respiratory reviews
Lunch and refreshments are provided.
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
GP Locum Network Event
Please join us for our inaugural Coventry and Warwickshire GP Locum Network event. This event is a chance for networking and meeting other locums in the area as well as an opportunity to hear what other support the Training Hub can give you.
Secure your place by registering here or clicking the image below.
Middle(Twenty)5 GP Event – Exploration of practical wisdom in General Practice
Join us for this evening event with Dr Sabena Jameel, a GP in inner-city Birmingham. Secure your place by registering here or clicking the image below.
Parental Leave Support Network
The next support circle is on the 22nd October, starting at 10am at Kenilworth Methodist church or the 25th October at Binley Woods Village Hall.
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.
Wise 5 GP Network – Autumn Meeting
We will be joined by Dr Anil Sood, West Midlands Lead GP – National GP Retention Scheme.
Also during this event, we want to explore how the Wise 5 could become more involved in education and look at ideas for what we can do next year.
Please register for this event by Tuesday, 22nd October as there are limited spaces available. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
General Practice Nursing News
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.
Student Nursing Associates – Expressions of Interest
We are welcoming expressions of interest from practices and students to either host or become a Student Nursing Associate (SNA).
For further information or to express an interest in hosting/becoming an SNA, 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.