Sharing news and views in 2024
NHS Networks is funded by PCC and free for all in the health and care sector to use. We welcome articles to share learning and good practice. Looking back over 2024 we have covered a wide range of topics and thank all our contributors. A selection of articles we have published are highlighted here.
In January we published Being ‘Equally Well’: Can we achieve this for our patients with a severe mental illness. Equally Well UK, a collaborative of organisations, clinicians and people with lived experience aiming to improve the physical health of people with a mental illness, is hosted by Centre for Mental Health. The ongoing challenge for people with a severe mental illness (SMI) is that the priority given to their mental health may reduce the likelihood of any physical health problems being picked up at an early stage. This can significantly reduce their quality of life and, in some cases, lead to avoidable premature death. The article looked how to encourage people on the practice SMI register to attend a Physical Health in Severe Mental IlIness (PHSMI) check.
In February, as we started to anticipate an election year, PCC chair Professor David Colin-Thomé, wrote a blog setting out a GP manifesto. It included the opportunity of GP practices working closely with their local communities to improve health.
March includes World Kidney day, and we published an article by Helen Simmonds, PCC adviser which explained the important role of kidneys, sharing some of her personal experience and outlining how she is an ambassador for Kidney Wales.
In April, we looked how the NHS App was giving patients greater control over their healthcare.
During May we shared the innovative work of the Cystic Fibrosis Team from South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, in collaboration with Hydrate for Health who had developed a pioneering device called HydroBubble. The device, which aims to support children with Cystic Fibrosis, received numerous positive comments from users and their families.
In June we shared work by Hampshire County Councils Public Health team, working with partners who had published a resource pack to assist primary care staff supporting Afgan Nationals who may be struggling with mental or emotional wellbeing challenges.
We celebrated the award winning Greener Primary Care Wales Framework, led by Public Health Wales in July. The Scheme is designed to support general practices, community pharmacies, dental surgeries, and optometry practices to take positive environmental actions, thus contributing towards the reduction of NHS Wales’ carbon emissions and in doing so improving the health and well-being of the people of Wales. The Scheme has between 85-109 teams registering each year and a potential reach of over 500 individuals. Nearly 3000 climate-friendly actions had been implemented across primary care to May 2024.
In August we shared an example from Primary Eyecare Services, sharing how a single point of access for eyecare referrals reduced hospital activity and improved the patient journey.
An example of how group clinics were supporting people to keep well while on waiting lists was published in September. The article also looked at the role of group clinics in outpatients to reduce clinical time required and waiting times.
By October, we had the report by Lord Darzi on the state of the NHS. PCC chair Professor David Colin-Thomé, wrote a blog on the report focusing on funding, long term conditions, staff and patient engagement.
In November, we shared a personal article by Lesley Goodburn, which outlined the stark statistics that relate to pancreatic cancer. Seven in 10 people with this cancer do not receive any active treatment, one in 10 receive potential curative surgery and two in 10 receive chemotherapy.
December, as we look forward to Christmas and the new year, PCC shared one of our case studies where we helped GP practices optimise use of their space, a vital first step prior to more work transferring to primary and community care, as anticipated following Lord Darzi’s review.
NHS Networks wishes all our readers a happy Christmas and we look forward to sharing more of your articles, case studies and blogs in the new year.