Key News
General Practice – NHS Staff Survey
For the first time in Coventry and Warwickshire, our general practice teams, PCNs, Coventry & Rugby GP Alliance, SWGP Federation, WN Federation and Coventry & Warwickshire Training Hub have the opportunity to be included in the NHS Staff Survey. This survey is one of the world’s largest and most well-respected workforce surveys, gathering the highest standards of robust, quality data to inform our understanding of staff experience.
The NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan commits to encouraging all NHS organisations to have staff feedback processes in place to ensure staff feedback is listened to and acted upon.
We are participating in the roll out and will be working with NHS England to support and co-ordinate the activity. This includes working with colleagues to collate staff lists over the coming weeks and promote the survey when it is available for staff to complete. Participation is entirely voluntary and individual responses will be confidential. We hope that you will all take the opportunity to share your views.
There has been a longstanding ambition for the voice of people working in primary care to be heard in the same way as your secondary care colleagues and we hope you will take this opportunity to share your experience.
More information to follow over the coming months before the survey launches in the Autumn – watch this space!
Menopause and your experience
Perimenopause and Menopause can have a huge impact on an individual’s wellbeing – we want to hear from you – whether you are experiencing Peri/Menopause, supporting someone who is, or seeing patients who are.
We want to identify the support, education, and training needed by those affected by and supporting those with perimenopause and menopause.
This survey is for everyone working in general practice across C&W; we ask that you answer as openly and honestly as you can. This survey will close on Friday 28th June.
Please click the image to the right or scan the QR code to be taken to the survey.
Medical Education Team
PLT – Learning Disabilities
Our next PLT will be on Learning Disabilities (LD) and we encourage you all to register now for the most suitable date.
The training is being supported by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and provided in conjunction with Grapevine charity, Coventry and Warwickshire Training Hub and local GP experts. People with lived experience of learning disability will be available to answer questions during the live events.
We expect all staff will have completed the Blue Stream module on Learning disabilities or Oliver McGowan part 1 eLFH module The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism – elearning for healthcare (e-lfh.org.uk) before attending the session
Although we are tailoring the programme to meet the CQC primary care requirements this course is not endorsed by NHSE and in the future the formal training of OMMT may be made compulsory, in which case all staff would have to attend.
Please click the dates on the right to register for this PLT.
For more information, please read this letter which has been sent to practices.
Learning disability training – 19 June 2024 -Warwickshire North and South Warwickshire
- 1:30pm – 3:00pm – ALL staff
- 3:15pm – 4:45pm – Clinical staff
Learning disability training – 26 June 2024 -Coventry and Rugby –
- 1:30pm – 3:00pm – ALL staff
- 3:15pm – 4:45pm – Clinical staff
For details on Lunch & Learn sessions, PLT recordings and more – take a look at our dedicated Medical Education page.
For information on the education programme for the Summer, please click here
Health and Wellbeing
Feel confident in supporting your staff with their wellbeing
As the workplace becomes increasingly demanding, it’s essential for managers to have the mental health skills necessary to support their teams.
We are pleased to share an opportunity for managers and leaders working in and supporting general practice to register for the accredited Mental Health Skills for Managers training delivered by MINDs workplace mental health experts.
This training is open to anyone that manages staff working in a PCN, Practice, Federation, Alliance and C&W Training Hub.
What will I learn?
This training workshop is centered around supporting you and by attending, you will learn to:
- Identify if an employee may be experiencing mental health issues
- Feel confident having open conversations about mental health
- Appropriately signpost to available support and know where to go for support and guidance for yourself
- Role model good self-care practice, inspiring your team to look after their own mental health and wellbeing
How can I register?
It is as easy as clicking the ‘register here’ button below and filling out a few boxes!
Financial Wellbeing Sessions
Financial wellbeing is still very much a significant issue for all. Midlands NHSE has teamed up with HSBC to offer a series of financial wellbeing events designed to give information and enhance your understanding of key financial topics.
A team from HSBC will be available to talk about banking, covering everything from budgeting and saving to buying your first home and retiring and what you need to know if you are new to the UK. All sessions are free, virtual and take place between 12pm and 1pm.
Sessions will run throughout June and July – these sessions include:
- June 5th – Making the Most of Your Money
- June 12th – Budgeting
- June 19th – Coping with the Rising Cost of Living
- 26th June – Managing and Growing your Wealth
Click the links above to register or to see sessions available in July, click the button below.
How to return to work after illness or burnout
Open to anyone working in and supporting General Practice!
Have you ever come back to work after time off? Whether a career break, illness or burnout, change can be challenging and knowing how to adjust back to the working world when your role is high-pressure is especially hard.
Understanding why we find such shifts uncomfortable, how to manage ourselves well during the transition, and how to set yourself up for success by speaking up for yourself are key to changing how we experience change well.
Our next webinar, “How to return to work after illness or burnout”, is happening at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11th June.
It will be hosted by Dr Rachel Morris, host of the You Are Not a Frog Podcast, former GP and specialist in resilience at work and Dr Katya Miles, GP and Occupational Health Doctor turned Wellbeing Trainer, Team & Careers Coach & Specialist in Workplace Wellbeing.
- Why we find changes such as returning to work challenging and uncomfortable
- How to manage the transition and give yourself permission to look after yourself
- How to speak up when you return to work so you can set yourself up for success
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB)
Active Bystander
We are pleased to invite you to an Active Bystander training session led by Professor Kay Mohanna (FRCGP MA EdD NTF, Partner and Trainer in general practice and Professor of Values Based Healthcare Education at the University of Worcester).
At Coventry and Warwickshire Training Hub – as part of our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging work we are prioritising breaking down barriers when it comes to speaking up – not only to support you to speak up for yourself but being able to do so when you witness unprofessional behaviour in your workplace.
This training session will give you the tools you need to be able to recognise and respond to micro-aggressions in the workplace – see poster below for more details and QR code to register.
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
The FCP Podcast – EDIB in General Practice
Richard welcomes back Dr Mai Elftise to the podcast to discuss Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (EDIB) in General Practice.
During the episode Mai defines EDIB, including the legislation and what this means in General Practice. We then discuss how EDIB can affect patient assessments and how to you may consider adapting your consultations.
Listen here on Buzzsprout
Training and CPD
Upcoming Training
Non-Clinical Training – PAIs, FP34 Claims and PCSE Drugs Payments (a live webinar)
Session is open to Practice Managers; Operations Manager; Managing Partners; FP34 Administrators; Finance Managers and Prescribing Clerks
Ash Lane Consulting will provide the information and knowledge you need to maximise the income for your Personally Administered Items (PAI).
Wednesday 12th June or Tuesday 16th July
Non-Clinical Training -Better Service Standards – 8th July
This course will allow the delegate to start to make positive moves towards addressing the important aspects of communication and customer service within the workplace.
For more information and to book – please click here.
Diabetes – Face-to-Face Events
We are delighted to be working with Coventry and Warwickshire ICB following the success of these diabetes events last year, and would like to invite you to attend a half day face-to-face diabetes update event during June and July. The Coventry and Warwickshire Primary Care Diabetes Network (co-chaired by Professor Vinod Patel and GP Jim McMorran) will update on “hot topics” in type 2 diabetes via short talks and interactive case studies
- Thursday 20th June 12.00 – 5.00pm – The Holiday Inn, Hinckley Road, Coventry, CV2 2HP
- Thursday 27th June 12.00 – 5.00pm – Weston Hall, Mill Lane, Bulkington, CV12 9RU
- Wednesday 3rd July 12.00 – 5.00pm – Draycote Hotel, London Road, Rugby, CV23 9LF
- Wednesday 10th July 12.00 – 5.00pm – Warwick Racecourse, The Jockey Club, Warwick, CV34 6HN
HCA Courses
Training and CPD Calendar
Searching for training and education?
Our calendar shows upcoming training and education events for all workforce roles across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Browse the calendar by date or search by keyword, then click on the event to find out more information, such as the location, times, cost, and how to book!
Watch this space – Immunisation Updates
Immunisation updates will be available to book (£55.00pp) during each PLT date in September. Further details to follow shortly.
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.
Multi Disciplinary Team (aka ARRS roles)
Pharmacy Technician – Away Day
Join us for the next Pharmacy Away Day event at Woodland Grange hotel. Throughout the day, you can learn, share and develop with other Pharmacy Technicians, with practical sessions and speakers.
To register for this event, please click here.
GPA Training Programme
As we come to the end of the first 3-month rotation, the General Practice Assistants (GPA) have been supported through the Training Hub to work through the GPA competency framework. As pictured, the clinical module provides the GPAs with hands on experience becoming familiar with clinical skills equipment and observations in general practice.
The GPAs also rotate to administrative and care modules over the next 6 months, being supported to complete the 256 core competency areas within their workplace.
With thanks to the CWTH Nursing Team who lead the clinical module.
If you have recently employed a GPA within your practice, please get in touch with the CWTH administration team or GPA Programme Director (emma.lomas6@nhs.net) for further information regarding Training Hub support still available.
General Practice MDT: Physician Associates, Supervision and Indemnity
There has been a significant amount of information regarding Physician Associates, integration into the workforce, supervision, the role in general practice and the changes around regulations in the last few months. Clarification around these areas has often been difficult and impacted by incorrect information and negative press both on and offline.
There are several referenced documents from the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA), PA professional body, NHSE and GMC with lots of up-to-date information about Physician Associates on the CWTH website.
We specifically wanted to highlight questions around indemnity and more specifically responsibility and accountability.
The following link has fantastic guidance and reference points to the FPA and GMC – Good Medical Practice regarding questions around supervision, accountability and responsibility. Their article ‘ Delegation and accountability in the healthcare team particularly reviews guidance around PAs and AAs as well as other MDT in primary /secondary care.
following link has fantastic guidance and reference points to the FPA and GMC – Good Medical Practice regarding questions around supervision, accountability and responsibility. Their article ‘ Delegation and accountability in the healthcare team particularly reviews guidance around PAs and AAs as well as other MDT in primary /secondary care.
Additionally, the GPI Scheme Scope document outlines indemnity cover for PCN Staff (Page 14) and in relation to Educators of official students/ trainees of any role – (page 9).
It is also always helpful for each individual to chat to their Medical Defense Organisation to review and update their role and responsibilities within practice and the terms and conditions of cover. However, it is considered that there is not an additional need to inform the MDO of supervision or delegation roles as this is already considered part of a GP’s core role. The only exception to this, is if the GP is undertaking additional, non APMS contracted work which is not covered by CNSGP and within this work, is supervising additional members of staff.
If you have any questions regarding Physician Associates in general practice, please contact the PA Ambassador.
GP News
Trailblazers – Open for applications – Closing soon!
The Trailblazer Fellowship allows motivated, qualified clinicians to work in practices within areas of socio-economic deprivation.
The aim is to develop the skills, knowledge, experience, and resilience to stay working in these challenging, but incredibly rewarding, environments and to help practices in under-resourced areas to recruit and retain clinicians in Coventry and Warwickshire. Fellows are expected to work on a deprivation focussed project(s), leaving a legacy for practice, PCN, and/or system.
Coventry & Warwickshire Training Hub have hosted the (NHS Midlands) Primary Care Trailblazer Fellowships since 2020. Eligible practices are now invited to apply for one of three fellowship places on offer for 2024/25. Please click here for details of the fellowship and how to apply.
Aspiring Leaders Fellows – Open for applications – Closing soon!
The Aspiring Leaders Fellowships provide exciting opportunities for eligible GPs to spend time working in local general practice, with funded time to upskill in a particular field.
Applications are now open for 2024/25. Please click here for details of the fellowship and how to apply.
For more information on the Aspiring Leaders Fellowships and to see what past applicants have done , please visit our webpage.
Parental Leave Support Network
The next support circle is on the 25th June, starting at 10am at Kenilworth Methodist church or the 28th June at our new location, 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.
Locum GP Network – 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.
To promote face-to-face meetings and encourage networking opportunities, the Coventry and Warwickshire training hub will reimburse the cost of one tea/coffee (<£4.00), (up to once a quarter), for each participant if they meet in person.
General Practice Nursing News
Practice Assessor Support
We are offering a monthly drop in lunchtime session to support practice assessors with both student nurse placements and/or student nursing associates.
If you are interested in becoming a Practice Assessor and have questions on supporting students, you are more than welcome to join this session.
Please click here or scan the QR code below.
Nursing Conference – 4th June
Join us for face to face networking and a programme covering the latest clinical updates and collect your certificate to support your Revalidation requirements/CQC standards.
The event will be free to attend, subsidised by Coventry and Warwickshire Hub, with some sponsor support and a marketplace.
Please note, booking is essential to attend this conference. Secure your place here.
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.
The recent Midlands Advanced Practice Forum Worcester Roadshow on 24th April 2024 was a good event with a range of Advanced Clinical Practitioners mainly from secondary care talking about their clinical roles and how they developed their service. This included presentations from palliative care in how to support patients at risk of skeletal-related events, an NHS England update from Dr Julian Barratt.
There was a lively debate about autonomy within consultations and the afternoon finished with an interesting session on how we can use the research pillar more proactively within practice including ways to access PhD studies. -The next virtual online event is planned for the 14/7/24 and the next roadshow event is planned for 16/10/24 (venue TBC) and it would be great to see more primary care representation so calling for speakers /posters – please contact Sue Thomas (ANP Ambassador) if you are interested at susan.thomas72@nhs.net
For more information, please click here.
