Key News
Gill Schweigert Innovation Award
The Coventry and Warwickshire Training Hub recently hosted the inaugural Gill Schweigert Innovation Award, celebrating and recognising our nursing teams across Coventry and Warwickshire for their innovation in patient care and quality-driven improvements.
The Gill Schweigert Innovation Award is our annual event designed to celebrate and acknowledge innovative contributions in nursing across Coventry and Warwickshire. The award recognised nurses and/or nursing teams across Coventry and Warwickshire that have demonstrated exceptional innovation in patient care, quality-driven improvements or projects that have demonstrated evidence of improved patient outcomes.
Jon Moll, Chief Executive Officer at the Coventry and Warwickshire Training Hub said “On behalf of everyone at Coventry and Warwickshire Training Hub I’d like to congratulate our finalists in the inaugural Gill Schweigert Innovation Awards. It has been fantastic to see nursing teams across Coventry and Warwickshire nominated for their innovative work with team transformation and new patient pathways positively impacting patient care.”
Winner
- Abbey Medical Centre – Future Proofing the Nursing Workforce
Runner Ups
- Forrest Medical Centre – Nursing Team Transformation
- Trinity Court Surgery – Pulmonary Rehab Clinic in General Practice Pilot
Highly Commended
- Meon Medical Centre – Reducing overuse of SABAs within asthma care and switching patients to more environmentally friendly inhalers
- Red Roofs Surgery – Menopause Support Group
General Practice Staff Survey – Out Now!
The General Practice Staff Survey is an important step in understanding the experience of people working in general practice and then working with you to identify what changes can be made to better support teams.
This survey is now live and able to be completed. Please keep an eye out on your inbox for this survey and your personalised link to complete. Deadline for completion is the 29th November.
More details about the survey, including FAQs, are attached here.
Medical Education Team
Medical Education Team
Autism Awareness – PLT
The Medical Education team have arranged training within PLT time for the whole team. The programme has been designed by local GPs with specialist interest, alongside Grapevine charity. local specialist schools and experts by experience. We hope you found the first session on Learning Disability valuable; our next session is:
14th November
Rugby and South Warwickshire
- 1.30pm – 3pm – Clinical and Non clinical General Practice staff
- 3.15pm – 4.45pm – Additional session for Clinical staff
20th November
Coventry and Warwickshire North
- 1.30pm – 3pm – Clinical and Non clinical General Practice staff
- 3.15pm – 4.45pm – Additional session for Clinical staff
There will be limited places and so we encourage practices to register once and watch together as there will be time for discussion during the training. As before there will be individual feedback to complete via MS form – this cannot be done as a group.
The Education team believe that if an individual member of staff has completed e-learning on LD & Autism and attended the first Learning disability PLT and now attend this PLT they will have had sufficient training to fulfil the CQC criteria. However, we must be clear this is not necessarily a substitute for Oliver McGowan training if that is mandated in future.
Any questions, please contact CW Primary Care Education Team crgpa.education.cwth@nhs.net.
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 6th November. To join this session or for more information, please contact crgpa.education.cwth@nhs.net
Health and Wellbeing
Helping you to support the men in your life
If someone you care about what going through a difficult time, how would you talk to them?
These discussions can feel awkward to approach but they’re so important.
Movember Conversations can help – click on the link below for a guide on how to start the conversation!
Prostate Cancer
he expectation to be strong and self-reliant stops too many men from reaching out for help – leaving health issues untreated and ignored.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. Globally, more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.
Early detection is key – The difference between early detection and late detection can be life and death.
Nuts and Bolts
The tools to tackle testicular cancer
Nuts & Bolts has the tools you need to confidently handle the testicular cancer journey. From diagnosis, to treatment, to life afterwards — we’ve got your back
Lunch and Learn Training – Escape the urgency trap and get your time back
Tuesday 12th November – 12:30 – 1:30pm
Open to anyone working in and supporting General Practice!
✔︎ Why we get stuck in the urgency trap firefighting the urgent
✔︎ How to make and take time to do what REALLY matters
✔︎ How to manage your focus and attention and say no to the unimportant
When you register, you’ll also get access to recordings of the previous trainings and lots of other helpful resources.
Stress Awareness Week: 4th – 8th November
Supporting your employees – Having regular compassionate conversations
Every staff member should be given the opportunity for regular conversations to discuss their wellbeing and what will keep them in work,including discussions about:
- Flexible or agile working
- Reasonable adjustments
- Health and wellbeing
Not sure how to start a compassionate conversation – Click here for a ‘how to’ guide
Regularly sharing resources to support staff wellbeing:
In The Moment Support
Vivup is offering a counselling/support that is provided in real-time, at the very moment when you are experiencing a particular issue, emotional distress, or crisis.
This form of support may be more immediate and responsive, focusing on addressing your current needs and concerns.
The goal is to provide assistance and guidance in the present moment to help you cope with their immediate challenges.
If you are in need of support contact 0800 023 9324
Register to your Employee Assistance Programme – Vivup for more details
Need someone to talk to?
If you are struggling or worried about your mental/physical/emotional health, you can contact your Health and Wellbeing Champion for a 1:1.
Your Health and Wellbeing Champion offers a confidential, safe space to listen and offer signposting to resources and local services that can support.
Not sure who your Champion is? – take a look here
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB)
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
CPD Funding – Nursing Associates, Nurses and AHPs
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. The CPD funding is intended to be used as an individual development fund for frontline clinical professionals.
Eligible staff are allocated £333 (to be spent by March 2025). There are a variety of training options available to book via our website and individuals also have the option to book and pay for their own training, claiming back the cost up to a maximum of £333 via practice invoice. If there are any training/courses you would like to see being offered via the Training Hub, please do let us know.
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 – University Modules
These places are limited and requests will be considered on a first come first served basis and require the support from your employer to apply.
Please ensure that you meet the criteria for your preferred course and are eligible before emailing – stating name, job title, the course of interest, why you should be awarded funding for the course, and preferred start date e.g. January 2025 (March 2025 if applicable) to cw.traininghub@nhs.net
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.
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.
Open to all Healthcare Professionals – Free Webinar on the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme
You are invited to a 60-minute webinar hosted by Momenta Newcastle, featuring Dr. Ellen Fallows, GP, and Medical Director at Momenta.
As a specialist in diabetes and obesity, Dr. Fallows will discuss how to effectively refer patients to the programme. This webinar will cover:
- T2DR programme overview and outcomes to date
- Co-morbidities and when to safely refer
- Gallstones and participant suitability
- Medication changes and why they remain the responsibility of the GP practice
- Why the guidelines encourage stopping metformin for the majority of referrals
- Q&A, presenters will stay on after the webinar if helpful.
If you would like to attend, please click this booking link to reserve your place.
Multidisciplinary Team
Pharmacy Technician Day – A thank you
The Training Hub would like to share this feedback from a recent NHS England webinar showing the Pharmacy Technician role. Our thanks to Michaela Cooper for passionately promoting the role of a Pharmacy Technician!
Thank you to Michaela Cooper, Pharmacy Technician, Dene and Stour PCN. On behalf of our team, I would like to express our gratitude for her participation in the NHS England Webinar: Showcasing the Pharmacy Technician profession across the Midlands, held on October 14th to celebrate Pharmacy Technician Day.
Michaela, with her unique and innovative approach, shared her insights on managing hypertension reviews for her population. Her patient story, which demonstrated how she applied a tailored approach to patient-centred consultation in collaboration with the practice nurse, was truly inspiring. She exhibited how pharmacy technicians can add value to primary care and significantly improve patient outcomes. Her session was a hit, with fellow pharmacy technicians across the Midlands region showering her with positive feedback. The overwhelming praise she received, such as “ Fellow PCN technician here you are inspirational.” And “Fascinating to see how the primary care/PCN role has developed, pharmacy technicians really have demonstrated the value of their profession here. Really positive recognition from many GPs that I have talked to as well, is a testament to her exceptional work.”
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.
Talking Meds – Podcast
TalkingMeds, a podcast by PrescQIPP, will host engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas.Talking Meds is hosted by Jonathan Underhill who, every two weeks, will chat to a fantastic guest about current medical issues and clinical dilemmas
Listen to episodes on Apple Podcasts by clicking here.
General Practice Nursing News
NHS England – Student Council (Pre-Reg Nursing Students or NAs)
We are currently looking to recruit students onto the Student Council for the Midlands region and wondered if you could circulate this to any pre-reg nursing students or student nursing associates in your area.
If you are interested in taking part, please email england.nursingandmidwifery.midlands@nhs.net either for an informal discussion or to express your interest.
NETS – Survey
NHS England Workforce Training and Education directorate oversees the quality of education and training for over 250,000 students, apprentices and trainees across a variety of clinical roles in the NHS.
To support continuous improvement, we conduct the National Education and Training Survey (NETS) each year, offering a platform for healthcare learners and trainees to share their experiences and shape the future of healthcare education.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Hayley and Chris (pictured) on achieving key milestones in General Practice Nursing! Hayley recently celebrated her first year in General Practice, while Chris marked over 25 years of dedicated service to General Practice, with over 50 years across nursing as a whole.
Well done to both of you, from the Training Hub Nursing team!
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.
GP News
Information for First5 GPs
The First 5 (C&W) GP Network recently launched our First 5 GP Handbook for those new to Coventry and Warwickshire or the role. This handbook contains information on local and national resources, revalidation and approval and more.
Please share this handbook with your newly qualified colleagues!
Aspiring Leaders Fellowships
We would like to congratulate our most recent cohort of Aspiring Leaders Fellowships on completing their fellowships.
To read their final reports, or watch a short video summarising their projects, please click here.
We will be joined by Dr Lara Khaffaf at this event, a GP with special interest in Dermatology at Mansfield Medical Centre.
Please join this event to hear from an experienced local GP about eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea and other facial rashes.
This event will take place on Thursday 14th November, 19:30 to 21:00
Parental Leave Support Network
The next support circle is on the 26th November, starting at 10am at Kenilworth Methodist church or the 29th November 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.
IMG Buddy Scheme
We are thrilled to introduce the IMG GP Buddy Scheme, an initiative designed to address feelings of isolation and foster a strong sense of community among IMG GPs.
For those whom are interested, we will pair IMG GPs together and encourage them to establish connections, providing each other with mutual support and camaraderie.
The IMG GP Buddy Scheme is more than just a professional development opportunity; it’s about building meaningful friendships, creating a sense of belonging and enhancing overall well-being.
To register for the scheme, simply click here.
