Group clinics: moving from thinking to doing
Many clinicians are convinced by the potential of Group Clinics—but turning belief into action can be challenging. This article explores the most common barriers faced by those trying to get started and ways to overcome them. If you want to champion this change, join our virtual masterclass on TUES 17 June (12:45–14:15) with Laura Ireland, a clinical leader who has successfully embedded Group Clinics at Moatfield Surgery in Sussex.
Book here: https://www.elcworks.co.uk/free-lunch-and-learn-webinars/
The Experience Led Care Programme (www.elcworks.co.uk) has been leading the spread of Group Clinics for 10 years.
Although awareness of Group Clinics as a way to deliver more personalised care – particularly for chronic conditions and menopause support is growing, many clinicians still struggle to move from interest to implementation.
To address this, in 2024 we ran two successful masterclasses with Dr Rupa Joshi – an experienced group clinic practitioner and the NHS England Primary Medical Directorate Lead for Group Clinics. Rupa is also Transformation Lead at The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. In her national roles, she champions the adoption of the Group Clinic model.
At the masterclasses, we surveyed participants and found three main reasons why people are struggling to get going with Group Clinics in their organisation. They are:
- Sceptical colleagues who doubt patients will engage or query the strength of the Group Clinic evidence base
- Lack of funding for staff training
- Competing priorities: teams lack time and focus. Group Clinics are not signalled as a top priority in most contracts.
Why make Group Clinics a priority?
Over the last 10 years, there have been few incentives to adopt Group Clinic model. Although Group Clinics were clearly highlighted as one of several “new consultation types” and one of the 10 High Impact Actions in the 2016 GP Forward View, no nationally funded support was provided to help teams make the switch.
Revisiting these 10 high impact actions today through the lens of the forthcoming NHS 10 Year Plan, we see that national efforts since 2016 have focused predominantly on developing and expanding the primary care team and its QI expertise, on productive general practice administration and management – particularly total triage and workflow optimisation. Social prescribing has been mainstreamed.
Despite the Lockdown, beyond switching to telephone, we have not seen large scale adoption of new consultation types. Progress on self-management and prevention in primary care has also been limited.
Three shifts are driving the 10 Year Plan from:
- Illness to prevention
- Hospital to community
- Analogue to digital
These shifts are clearly needed – and access remains a significant concern – perhaps because we remain too reliant on traditional one-to-one appointments?
Now is the time for Group Clinics to become business as usual. Without group-based care, primary and community care will never have enough capacity. There will never be time and resources for prevention.
Since 2020, Video Group Clinics (VGCs) have offered a viable and safe option for clinicians ready to work online. Supported by a facilitator who handles the technology, VGCs are often a more accessible starting point for digital care delivery, helping advance the third shift.
So, if you want to champion the Group Clinic change, what do you need to know?
Here are some common concerns you can start to address:
- How do we make Group Clinics pay?
Group Clinics increase QOF achievement by 18% (Gandhi et al 2019). They can be used in extended hours and a 90-minute F2F Group Clinic delivers 12 appointments in 90 minutes.
- Will patients want to attend a group appointment?
Some people may be hesitant at first, but there is well-established best practice for engagement. Once they attend, over 95% say they would come again and recommend it to others.
- Will I be able to tick all my QOF boxes in a Group Clinic?
Yes. Group Clinics can meet all QOF targets using the same templates and processes as 1:1 appointments.
- Is there an evidence base supporting the switch?
There is a robust evidence base of15 systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials, comparing 1:1 and group appointments. In fact, Group Clinics have a much stronger evidence base than social prescribing, which is already mainstream.
- What costs are involved?
Your Training Hub may be able to help with funding for training. You can also self-fund training as the basic training package costs around £200 per person. To discuss whether there is training funded in your area and other options, contact: info@elcworks.co.uk
This is really just a taster. At our masterclass, we will explore how to engage your whole team and all these challenges in much more depth. Come along and learn more.
Book your place on the link below:
TUESDAY 17 JUNE 12.45 – 14.15 Virtual Masterclass: getting going with Group Clinics
BOOK HERE: https://www.elcworks.co.uk/free-lunch-and-learn-webinars/
Reference
Gandhi D, Craig G. An evaluation of the suitability, feasibility and acceptability of diabetes group consultations in Brigstock Medical Practice. Journal of Medicines Optimisation. 2019; 5(2): 39-44.