HSJ Partnership Awards 2021: Most Effective Contribution to Clinical Redesign

Consultations are the DNA of the NHS. By changing from one to one to group consultations, clinicians and patients grow and learn. In 2020, NHSEI’s General Practice Nurse Ten Point Plan team and The Redmoor-ELC Partnership planned a modest trial of video group clinics (VGCs) with eight pioneers.

When the pandemic hit, they spread this untested innovation and helped over 700 primary care teams and their patients to cope and stay connected through lockdown and beyond. Swiftly refining a flexible, interactive learning programme and assuring indemnity cover alongside robust confidentiality and consent processes meant 74 per cent of those trained say they will continue with VGCs. Over 2,500 additional people will be trained in 2021/22.