NEW VIDEO GROUP CONSULTATION TRAINING
FREE
Would your practice like to participate in this programme to support you to introduce video group clinics (VGCs)?
Here is some info and details of how to sign up for training for you and your team.
Sentinel practices (not to be confused with Sentinel CIC in Plymouth) will be first to run VGCs. They will get some additional support from The Experience Led Care Programme and our digital support partner Redmoor Health to help them to get set up and make accelerated progress with VGCs.
In return, Sentinel practices will:
Help identify priority VGC models that save time and create capacity linked to managing the primary care COVID 19 caseload and more widely;
Share what is working well and can be improved about the technology and platforms you are running video group clinics on;
Share what is working well and can be improved about the practicing this way;
Flag areas where you need us as a support team to help you find solutions and improvements that will accelerate progress.
VGCs are expected to realise the same benefits in the virtual world that group consultations deliver in the real world, namely:
Clinician time efficiencies compared to 1:1
Creating community connection
Improving clinician and patient experience compared to 1:1
At a time where many clinicians are self-isolating, VGCs will also help you make the most of clinicians and other support staff who are still able to work remotely.
Technical capability
Our digital partner is Redmoor Health. The team will advise you and ensure that you have the technology to run video group clinics. Our recommendation is Microsoft Teams. Redmoor will advise you how to get this switched on if you do not have access just now. Contact Redmoor for advice at:
hello@redmoorhealth.co.uk
Preparing your workforce to deliver VGCs
The practice delivery team for VGCs includes:
Clinicians: like in real world group consultations, the 'clinician' is only present half the time (social prescribing link workers may also use VGCs to monitor sheltered people - in this context, they may only be present for part of the VGC)
Technical facilitators: because of the challenges of getting patients up and running with video technology, the facilitator in a VGC has an additional role - as well as supporting patients to prepare questions for the clinician and to reflect on next steps after the clinician leaves, the facilitator in VGCs has to make sure patients are set up and ready to participate using their technology. This is why we have called them 'technical facilitators'. The people who take on this role do not have to be based in the practice. They do need skills in supporting people to get to grips with simple IT and also good people skills. It may be possible to use NHS volunteers, as well as practice and other out of hospital non clinical support staff
Clinic co-ordinators: this way of working will require administrative support so having people within your admin team who understand this change will be key. Those who provide admin support may also be facilitators.
Training in delivering VGCs
We recommend that all staff (clinicians, technical facilitators and administrators) to be involved attend our 2.5 hour training sessions. Practice managers may also deepen their understanding by attending (some of the sessions is devoted to planning for mobilisation) .
We are running training sessions for Sentinel teams every week from now on. From the start of May, training will be available daily.
People only need to attend one training session.
To sign up for these 2.5 hour training sessions,
Go to
www.events.england.nhs.uk
Enter “VGC” or “Sentinel” in the search box
You will find a selection of dates for briefing and training sessions
Book on your chosen training session (you will need to click “buy” even though the sessions are free to attend)
You will be sent a joining instructions email with the link to join your chosen session. If you are attending training, you will receive documents with the link that you will need to print off and have with you at the training
Deciding your focus patient group
Early VGC work within the national programme is likely to centre on proactively supporting those at high risk, including sheltered people and those living with COVID and LTCs. Where capacity allows now and as we start to move towards recovery, VGCs will also provide a very efficient way of catching up with planned reviews.
When you sign up for this programme, we will ask you to identify at least two VGC models that you want to test. There is lots of flexibility. Speaking to clinicians, we have talked about: proactive care and support of sheltered people; 6 week baby checks; repeat prescription requests for inhalers amongst others. We just want to track these so that we can touch base and see what learning is emerging
Evaluation
We are very lucky because the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences is going to b undertaking some independent evaluation of the move to VGCs. This will be led by Professor Trish Greenhalgh. We would be keen for you to get involved in this as an early pioneer. This may require a bit more admin, and it will reap many rewards for you as a team in terms of access to support with quality improvement.
If this is of interest, please contact
Georgina Craig
National Delivery Lead, Video Group Clinics (VGCs) Programme
Tel: 07879 480005
Email: georgina@elcworks.co.uk
If you have any questions on next steps, do let us know.
If not, we look forward to working with you and your team to get going with VGCs as part of your plan to cope with COVID 19.
Best wishes
Lucy Wood RN
Education Delivery Team Lead
Devon Training Hub
