Vulnerable patients will be given hour-long appointments through a pilot scheme run by Warrington clinical commissioning group (CCG).
Up to £50,000 from Warrington CCG’s innovation fund will be used to fund the scheme in three practices for three months.
The scheme has been designed to reduce the number of times a patient attends their GP for chronic disease management reviews.
Vulnerable patients will be given hour-long appointments through a pilot scheme run by Warrington clinical commissioning group (CCG).
Up to £50,000 from Warrington CCG’s innovation fund will be used to fund the scheme in three practices for three months.
The scheme has been designed to reduce the number of times a patient attends their GP for chronic disease management reviews.
Patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attending participating surgeries complete a short questionnaire with a Guided Care Receptionist.
They have a review of their lifestyle, family life, medication, and blood test results. Two nurse practitioners then arrange for referrals and follow-ups.
The patients will be able to access their GP as usual, with the extra appointments as a bonus.
The pilot has picked up many cases of low mood and social isolation and people have been referred to Warrington’s Wellbeing Mentors.
The nurses are overseen by Dr Liz Iles. She said: “It’s proving to be valuable and popular with those who have attended, although it has only been running a short time.”
Dr Andy Davies, chairman of Warrington CCG, said: “We’re committed to modernising the NHS in Warrington.
“The number of long term conditions is growing and the NHS has been struggling to meet the demand by working in the traditional way.
“The pilot scheme looks to have been working well and we will be evaluating it in September.”
Nurse Practitioner Vivien Stevens, 59, who is working on the pilot scheme, said: “I really enjoy seeing people go out feeling happier.
“They might have had the condition for years but this is the first time someone has been able to sit down with them for an hour and go through things in detail.”
