Neohealth Primary Care Network (PCN), based in North Kensington, has been awarded Best PCN Newcomer of the Year at the 2019 GP Awards. The award was presented by Dr Nikki Kanani, Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England and NHS Improvement.
The GP Awards recognises the contribution of primary care professionals in the field of General Practice. Neohealth PCN is made up of nine GP practices in North Kensington and was noted for having several successful projects focusing on improving patient outcomes and experience. The PCN have also improved care for patients with COPD, a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.
The COPD project was led by Dr Yasmin Razak, Associate Clinical Director at Neohealth PCN with Dr Sarah Elkin, an Integrated Respiratory Consultant from Imperial NHS Trust, and the community respiratory team. The project involved developing joint templates, patient centred care plans and new models of delivering care, such as virtual registry reviews and development of group consultations.
Patients who are diagnosed with COPD can now expect to receive on the ground support from specialist respiratory nurses at their GP practice. This has led to 435 enhanced care plans being put in place, reaching the majority of the PCN’s COPD patients and reducing variation in care that is provided.
Dr Yasmin Razak said:
“We are thrilled to receive this award for our work to improve healthcare for our local population.
Our COPD project recognises that patients affected by respiratory conditions can receive better support if primary care is upskilled and care plans are more goal-orientated from a patient perspective.
Working with other NHS partners has been a fantastic opportunity to develop an integrative approach that has brought real change for patients who have this condition. We will continue to share our learning and knowledge to improve outcomes and patient experience going forward.”
Dr Sarah Elkin said:
“This award recognises the enthusiasm of Neohealth PCN to improve health outcomes in the population of North Kensington. It demonstrates the importance of building relationships and sharing expertise to improve health and wellbeing for those we care for.
The models developed with Neohealth PCN can be rolled out across other PCNs in North West London and the award acts as a catalyst to improve respiratory care and the general health of our population. It is a pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of health care professionals.”
Dr Rachael Garner, Clinical Director at Neohealth PCN said:
“NeoHealth PCN has been enriched by the contributions of hard working committed primary care workers in each of our practices, leaders who are passionate about primary care and a joint belief that together we are better.
As a PCN and working across organisational boundaries, we continue to focus on our priorities of improving the care of people who suffer from COPD, people who are at high risk of admission to hospital and recently been discharged, and people who have consulted frequently with their GP.”
Professor Rebecca Malby from the School of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University said:
“NeoHealth PCN are passionate about their work and the community they serve. The practices know that sometimes people attending the practice need more than they can offer, and have teamed up to make sure they can get the best possible support from all the skills in the local health system.”
For more information about all the winners of the 2019 GP Awards, take a look at their website here.
