The Productive General Practice Programme aims to give GPs more time to spend with patients and to prevent inefficient practice.
The Concord Medical Health Centre, in Bristol has been a test site for the programme since 2010. Centre manager, Dawn McCaffrey said that taking the opinions of the entire staff into account helped them to make changes that would last.
‘One of our healthcare assistants suggested standardising the clinical rooms by introducing drawers filled with essential equipment that anyone might need. We did this and because the drawers are clear plastic, even visiting locums can see how and where things are now stored.’
She said the old systems made it difficult for changes to stick.
‘[Previously,] data weren’t collected and the initiatives weren’t measured so the progress was difficult to monitor,’ she said.
Dr Paul Cook, lead GP at Welbeck Road Surgery, Bolsover, Derbyshire, said the programme helped his practice make the most of its time.
‘[We] decided to trial not scheduling COPD assessments during January to March, because it’s the busiest time of the year.
‘Seeing this category of patient at this time can give an inaccurate perception of the severity of the patient’s condition.’
