Celebratory event for GPs taking part in Phoenix fellowship programme
A group of 29 GPs from Nottingham and Nottinghamshire took part in a celebration event for the Phoenix Fellowship Programme recently.
The fellowships support GPs to gain management and leadership skills, build professional connections and understand more about the wider health and social care system. This can open up career opportunities, with some GP fellows becoming involved in local and national leadership roles.
Each GP fellow is funded for one half day a week over 12 months to complete their fellowship. They select quality improvement projects they want to focus on, with recent examples including: developing a severe multiple disadvantage and inclusion health toolkit for practices; improving communications with care homes; and improving cardiovascular health.
Dr Kathy McLean, Chair of the Integrated Care Partnership, was one of the people invited to the celebration event. She said: “It was fascinating to hear about some of the work the fellows have been doing on the programme. The projects they are working on really demonstrate our Integrated Care System principles of prevention, equity and integration. Not only is the programme benefiting those GPs taking part, but it is also demonstrating a positive impact on our local communities. I am looking forward to seeing these projects embedded and spread.”
The fellowship programme is unique to Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and has attracted interest from NHSE and the Royal College of GPs. 73 GPs have been supported since the programme started three years ago.
The fellowships are part of a wider programme of workforce support offered to GPs at all stages of their career by the Phoenix Programme.
End of year blog by Dr Kathy McLean
As is often the case at this time of year, I have been reflecting on the last twelve months and thinking about what 2025 might hold for the health and care system in our area.
I wrote back in May this year that we needed to carve out the time to ‘lift our gaze’ from the pressures of running our health and care services and prioritise delivery on our Integrated Care Strategy. Whilst there have been some moments throughout the year where the unexpected challenges have threatened to distract us, I am pleased that overall we are making strong progress on delivering our strategic principles of Prevention, Integration and Equity.
You can see some really great examples of how working together, differently, is having a meaningful impact on our population and their health in the winners of our Health and Care Awards. In particular I would celebrate the work delivered by Oasis Community Church in Worksop supporting men at risk of Suicide. The ‘Men At The Edge” project really exemplifies how we can make a difference by bringing together the faith sector, community groups and the NHS. Another really deserving winner was the Broxtowe Learning Disability Collaborative which has supported people with learning disabilities in a huge variety of ways and will make a real difference for the long term. All of the Award entries and winners were really excellent – you can see more details and watch the videos of all the winners.
I spend a good proportion of my time meeting with other leaders of health and care systems from across the country and I’m always keen to share where we are doing something innovative and impressive and encourage you to do the same – let’s spread the good news about our progress both within our system and more widely!
My overwhelming feeling as we finish this year and start to look towards next is one of gratitude. Thank you to everyone who works in health and care in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Thank you for your dedication, hard work and compassion. Thank you for persevering in the face of what might seem like complex challenges. Thank you for taking the time to think about how things could be done differently and better and having the courage to try something new.
Christmas may not be celebrated by everyone in our area but I always find the opportunity offered by the festive season to spend time with friends, family and loved ones a powerful time to reconnect with what matters. Whatever this festive period means to you please do take the time to rest and recharge and be ready for the challenges of 2025. And for those who are working throughout the holiday period thank you again.
Dr Kathy McLean, Chair of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Partnership
Insights from local communities are helping to shape future health and care services
Health and care organisations are listening to local communities to help shape the way services are delivered.
The Integrated Care System, which is made up of health, care and voluntary organisations in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, has just published an Insight Report which shares some of the key findings from local work to listen to communities over the past year. This includes feedback from people who have been referred for diagnostic tests, insights from children and young people about what worries them the most and information from diabetic people about how they want to manage their condition.
The information is being used to shape local health and care services including tailoring how lung cancer checks are delivered where people live and supporting residents in rural farming communities to tackle the issues of loneliness and isolation linked to suicide. It will also be used to respond to the Government’s listening exercise on the future of the NHS as part of its 10 year plan.
Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “The Insight Report brings together some of the great work health, care and voluntary sector partners are doing to listen to local people about their experiences, challenges and what’s important to them. We use this information to influence the way we develop our priorities and deliver our services locally, and it will also be a key part of the feedback we provide to the Government about the future of the NHS.”
The Integrated Care System also launched an Insights Hub earlier this year which is a place where partners can share and search for information. This is helping to reduce duplication and build on the information that local people have already provided through events, surveys and other engagement work.
Seven projects and teams have been crowned winners in the Health and Care Awards 2024. The awards celebrate best practice in the health, care and voluntary sector in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
The awards ceremony was hosted by the Integrated Care System and took place at the John Fretwell Complex last night. A playlist of all the videos for the awards winners is available to watch on YouTube.
The category winners are:
Health inequalities award: Broxtowe Learning Disability Collaborative
Broxtowe Learning Disability Collaborative designed and implemented a series of Learning Disability Health and Wellbeing Roadshows aimed at improving the outcomes and experiences of people with learning disabilities.
The roadshows provided a safe space for people with learning disabilities to have their voices heard and to share their experiences about what matters to them. They also encouraged uptake of the annual learning disability review, raised awareness of the wider determinants of health and promoted a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
Social value award: Rhubarb Farm Team
Rhubarb Farm provides employment and training for people who face barriers, including people in addiction recovery or with criminal records.
They also run a community pantry offering nutritious and affordable food bags twice a week, helping to address food insecurity.
By going beyond standard service delivery and working closely with a diverse range of partners, Rhubarb Farm has created sustainable, impactful solutions that resonate deeply with those most in need.
Equity award: Swim Sista Swim
The Canal and River Trust’s Swim Sista Swim programme is helping black women in Nottingham overcome barriers to taking part in water-based wellbeing and sports activities. Swim Sista Swim is a 12-month programme consisting of a course delivered by black swimming instructors in a safe and welcoming environment in a leisure centre, followed by an introduction to paddle sports on Nottingham’s waterways. Workshops are also offered on hair care and free swim caps are offered that are larger than average swim caps and accommodate thicker, curlier hair.
Women reported of feeling more included in family and community activities and more likely to participate in water-based wellbeing activities that the Trust is offering as part of Nottingham & Nottinghamshire’s green social prescribing offer.
Value for money award: Acute Home Visiting Service for Mid Notts
Any housebound or care home patient requiring an acute same day visit from a GP is seen by a highly skilled and experienced Advanced Nurse Practitioner. They will be an independent prescriber, highly experienced in Primary Care with good skills and competencies in treating urgent conditions, including acute respiratory and cardiac conditions, saving GP time and reducing cost of delivering the care, reducing hospital conveyancing and emergency admissions.
Patients acutely unwell are seen quicker by the team, providing reassurance and treatment earlier than if waiting for a GP visit. Patient surveys feedback near 100% satisfaction and over 12 months more than 2,500 emergency admissions have been avoided, saving £3.375m in secondary care a year.
Partnership award: Men at the Edge
The MEN AT THE EDGE Project started four years ago in response to a high suicide rate in Worksop. The team restored a derelict site and began a project to create a safe space for men in any and of need. Sessions ran several mornings each week with another special morning for veterans, social evenings, men’s breakfast project, lifeline educational projects.
The EDGE is a place of safety, security, solace and support and the number of men accessing it has been growing week by week. The EDGE offers support before, during and after other interventions. People need the service to find a place they can belong and find ongoing care and support from people who care for the long term.
Best outcome award: Diabetes Transition and Young Person Service
The Diabetes Transition and Young Persons Service at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust has developed innovative support for young adults aged 18-25.
Multidisciplinary clinic appointments provide proactive, holistic care by destigmatising discussion about psychological issues. Pre-clinic questionnaires ensure appointments focus on the young adult’s own concerns.
The innovative approaches taken by the team have led to improved health, wellbeing, self-reliance and resilience in the patients.
Prevention award: Opportunistic Flu Vaccinations at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust
Like all vaccination uptake, flu is impacted by deprivation and ethnicity. Clinicians from the area discussed how they could offer flu vaccines on site at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust to improve equity of vaccination uptake.
The team created a daily data flow of all unvaccinated patients which was ‘matched’ with NUH outpatient data. Unvaccinated patients attending outpatients were texted, prior to their appointment, offering them a vaccination on site. The offer was also promoted via posters, leaflets and via consultations. In total 1249 people received a flu vaccination at NUH and 83% of those vaccinated were in the ‘at risk category’.
Dr Kathy McLean, Chair of the Integrated Care Partnership, said: “Congratulations to all our winners, who have demonstrated that partnership working is having a genuine impact on the people of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. I’ve been blown away by the quality of the entries we’ve received and it’s been fascinating to speak to so many people who are doing excellent work to help improve health and care for local people.”
Shortlist announced for Health and Care Awards 2024
Our panel of expert judges from across the system have now completed the shortlisting for this year’s Health and Care Awards. All shortlisted entries have now been contacted and invited to our awards ceremony on 6 November.
Dr Kathy McLean, Chair of the Integrated Care Board, said: “Thank you to everyone who entered our Health and Care Awards. Just like last year, we had a fantastic response and some incredibly high calibre entries demonstrating how they are making a real difference to the health and wellbeing of people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. I’m really looking forward to hearing more about the projects and people at our awards ceremony on 6 November.
“Those entries who didn’t make the shortlist should still feel incredibly proud of the fantastic work they are doing.”
The shortlisted nominees are:
Health Inequalities Award:
Broxtowe Learning Disability Collaborative
Targeted Lung Health Check Programme
The Pythian Club
Equity Award
Digital and Social Inclusion Co-ordinators
Swim Sista Swim
Early Intervention Speech and Language team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Value for Money
Nottingham University Hospitals Theatres HIT Lists and Robotic-Assisted Surgery Programme
Acute Home Visiting Service for Mid Notts
Advice On Prescription
Partnership Award
MEN AT THE EDGE
Nottinghamshire County Council Adult Social Care Commissioning Team and ADVIS in partnership with Nottinghamshire Deaf Society, NHFT Deaf MH Team and Deaf Co-production Group
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Universal Healthy Start Vitamin programme
Best Outcomes Award
Jane Ferreira: Waiting well, living well with MSK Together
Pharmacy Primary Prevention Service
Diabetes Transition and Young Persons’ Service
Prevention Award
Supported Independent Living Service
Opportunistic Flu Vaccinations at NUH
Healthy Little Minds
Social Value Award
Amy Roach
Rhubarb Farm
Macmillan Beyond Diagnosis Service
ICS transformation podcast
Dr Kathy McLean talks to senior leaders from the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System about the importance of lifting our gaze from day to day work and taking a more transformative approach.
The panel includes Anthony May (Chief Executive at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust), Melanie Williams (Corporate Director at Nottinghamshire County Council), Lucy Hubber (Director of Public Health for Nottingham) and Dr Stephen Shortt (Deputy Medical Director for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB).
Bassetlaw Place Based Partners stand together
Bassetlaw Place-Based Partners stand together in condemning the violence, threats, and racism we’ve witnessed across the nation this week.
Everyone, regardless of race, beliefs, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or background, deserves dignity and respect.
If you experience or witness a crime, including physical assault or verbal abuse, please report it immediately through the following options:
A message of solidarity from health and care leaders
The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire health and care system stand firmly against the violence, threats and racism we’ve seen over the past week.
Our health and care teams are made stronger by our diversity. Every individual – regardless of their race, beliefs, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or background – deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Discrimination of any kind is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. We encourage our health and care teams to report any forms of abuse through their usual channels. We are here to support you.
To anyone who is affected by the recent events, whether you are a colleague or a citizen, our message is simple: you are welcome and you are a valued member of our community.
Ashfield groups to benefit from new Community Hub
Community and voluntary groups in Ashfield will have a new space to meet, as the Ashfield Community Hub officially opened its doors today.
The Community Hub, which is free to use, is based in the Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Centre on Portland Street in Kirkby in Ashfield.
The work to refurbish the hub is part of an NHS Property Services programme to transform vacant spaces in health centres, GP practices and hospitals into areas that can be used by the community.
The ongoing costs for running the Community Hub will be funded by NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It will be managed by Mid Nottinghamshire Place Based Partnership, who will work with local groups and organisations to ensure the space is used effectively.
Dr Thilan Bartholomeuz, local GP and Clinical Director for Mid Nottinghamshire Place Based Partnership, said: “This is a fantastic new space which is free of charge for community and voluntary groups in Ashfield. Not only will this support existing groups in the area, but we also hope it will encourage others to think about setting up a new group or class. By having a great range of activities for local people, we can support them to stay active, well and connect to others in their local community.”
Adam Hill, Chair of Mid Nottinghamshire Place Based Partnership and Chief Executive of Mansfield District Council, said: “Thank you to all the partners who have been involved in bringing the Ashfield Hub to life. We are now working with organisations in Mid Nottinghamshire, such as Ashfield District Council, Ashfield Voluntary Action and Active Notts to make sure we utilise the space in the best possible way.”
Alasdair Ben Dixon, Partner, Collective Works said: “From the first consultations at Ashfield Community Hub we saw potential for social impact far beyond the centre itself. Our role was to engage with local support networks, negotiate with stakeholders, and envision a space that could comfortably accommodate this broad brief. We’re happy the finished hub is a calm and welcoming place and hope the flexibility we designed in allows for everything from one-on-one conversations, to digital skills training, textiles workshops, and even pilates classes. It’s a real community asset, which should support diverse local needs, and help people thrive.”
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