An Offer to Support PCNs, CDs, Managers and Practices from Wessex Facilitation
Wessex facilitation are a team of health professionals (3 Drs and 1 nurse) who for 10+ years have offered coaching, training, support and organisational development to primary care in Wessex. We have worked with over 50 GP practices offering facilitation for strategic and operational reviews. There are a number of ways this work can be funded including through PCN development budgets. From the foundation of working with practices and GPs we naturally grew into working with PCNs. We understand that every practice and PCN is different and have experience of working with those who are reluctant and feel change is being forced on them, through to those who see PCNs as the next big opportunity. We see our role not to ‘fit’ every practice or PCN into a single mould. Rather to ensure that every party is clear about what they want and communicates this effectively with other key players. From this we aim to constructively plan how to make the most of the shifting priorities, opportunities and funding that exists. We do this by working with individuals, teams, practices, boards and wider stakeholder groups. Our experience has taught us that relationships are central to this work of reaching consensus, identifying priorities, implementing decisions and holding each other accountable. Also, frequently important is bravely tacking issues that sometimes have been left unaddressed or unresolved for far too long. Naming and working through these ‘points of pain’, that often drain an organisation of good will and enthusiasm, can bring surprising and speedy results. We have experience of linking together and facilitating meaningful conversations, development and planning meetings between groups of CDs, practices and managers. While always happy to provide one to one coaching we believe the following programmes are particularly relevant at this time (more information below and on our website). If you want to look at the 4 key offers we have found most useful in relation to PCN work, have a look at the following 4 programmes. See https://wessexfacilitation.com/resources/:
*LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR CLINICAL DIRECTORS IN PRIMARY CARE NETWORKS
*COACHING AND FACILITATION FOR PCN BOARDS / GOVERNANCE GROUP
*PRACTICE/PCN MANAGEMENT SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT
*HELPING YOUR GENERAL PRACTICE MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR PCN AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES?
Common problems range from getting the right people involved, keeping everyone engaged, feeling disempowered or change weary, to not knowing the resources, processes or clinical leadership skills that can enable collaborative working at a PCN level.
How we work at WF is an initial no cost, no obligation conversation to clarify the issues and plan a response. Examples of work we have done include, helping stakeholders review their priorities and how to achieve them, deciding on the leadership required and allocation of this, developing key roles and projects from planning and learning from COVID to opportunities in DESs or through new structures of ICP and ICSs. It can be helping a board to operate most effectively and efficiently. It may be specific support for a CD or lead practice manager. If appropriate, we will suggest a course of action using one of our facilitators or wider network of CDs, Managers or Coaches. We may suggest someone who has been through a similar situation or with specific skills to enable and progress a challenging piece of work linked to working together. This might be leading a meaningful review of a collaborative piece of work e.g. COVID or planning to deliver one or more DES.
From our work with practices and PCNs there are several key workstreams that that can be funded from PCN development funds. At Wessex Facilitation we are all involved in primary care education and base our hourly and day rates on standard educationalist fees to offer a highly competitive service. We are very well aware of just how hectic things are in primary care and how little spare capacity there is to spend time planning for the future. Although most GPs agree that with COVID things are already looking different, there are still many threats and challenges or decisions and opportunities (depending on your perspective) that practices and PCNs need to be prepared for.
For more information contact admin@wessexfacilitation.com
Wessex Facilitation 