I am a Salaried GP working 5 sessions per week with a keen interest in end of life care and team leading/supervision.

I took on the fellowship to gain in experience with provision of palliative care and to allow for time and opportunities to network within the wider palliative care team and be involved with relevant operational groups at the CCG level.

The experience on the fellowship has given me confidence to take on ongoing work in support of the CCGs goals toward end of life care provision. This area of work provides variety in my working week which I find helpful with energy and motivation levels to support my GP career.

One of the opportunities afforded during the fellowship was the possibility to explore a portfolio career and have a taste of what the work of a McMillan GP would be like.  This option of portfolio work is highly appealing and something I can now explore further.

The final learning point I have taken from the past 12 months is the sense of being part of something larger and having a greater impact on more patients that can come with time spent in a leadership role.  This has kindled my interest in partnership moving forward and I am certain the skills I have gained will aid my in my future roles within the primary care team.

I would strongly recommend the fellowship scheme to any GP at any point in their career path who is looking to grow their role or take on new responsibilities.  It strikes me that this freedom to explore career interests and provide the GP perspective to teams within the wider health community who would otherwise have no access to a GP could form an invaluable part of GP registrar training.

Author

Name: Dr Chris Potts

Position: Salaried GP

Qualified: 2013

A pilot study evaluating Longitudinal Support Networks (LSNs) on recruitment, retention and resilience of GPs in Derbyshire

Aim: To understand if longitudinal support networks (LSNs), including all career stages in General Practice (GP) from medical school to retirement, provide informal cross-generational support impacting on recruitment, retention and resilience of GPs in Derbyshire.

Method: Through open invitation, 39 participants interested in GP from medical school, through foundation, GP training and all stages of the GP career (including retired GPs) were joined together in small teams (LSNs). LSNs were encouraged to meet virtually to create an informal network, giving an opportunity to discuss all aspects of primary care as a group. Data were collected prior to, during and at the end of the pilot period using a mixed-methods approach of questionnaires with Likert scales and focus groups.

Results: Quantitative and qualitative data analysis demonstrated that LSNs supported the workforce through increased knowledge, communication, networking, resilience and well-being. Each LSN should have a variety of career stages represented with initial meetings face-to-face, but virtual meetings can then be utilised to continue the group relationship.

Conclusion: LSNs can benefit all stages of a GP career, with further implementation across a larger geographical area considered and evaluated as an adjunct to formal mentoring and support already available.

Author 

Dr Shehla Imtiaz-Umer

GP Partner

Supporting the development of Social Prescribing in Derbyshire, networking with various parties involved in social prescribing, exploring challenges in the establishment of social prescribing.

The fellowship provided me with the ability to explore networking with colleagues and develop skills around this and self directed project work. Having the time and ability to explore a different area of medicine and learn about a new and emerging clinical service, the chance to assist in service development, understand how various organisations such as the CCG operate and interact with PCN etc.

Studying for the specialist menopause module.
Reviewing and obtaining an in-depth understanding of the Local service provision and Occupational health provision for Derbyshire
Knowledge in the public prescribing in the DDCCG

Opportunities I found beneficial to me during my fellowship were

Having the time out to study and enjoy the project work as it presented itself proved
Learning and improving IT skills
Having the time to reflect on my career
How I might become more involved in project work
Confidence in my abilities and experience

Mental health support within school s in Derbyshire

The role of schools in supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing is far reaching including provision of school lunch, physical activity in the outdoor natural environment, and engagement with peers and professionals. However, there is no specific approach to meeting young people’s mental health needs in
the school setting. UK government guideline s provided by the Department of Education advise taking a ‘whole school approach’ with local authorities to signpost to additional training and services available locally. The above, whilst stating that school staff are not expected to diagnose mental health conditions
or perform mental health interventions, does suggest that all staff can choose to access psychological first aid training to support young people who have recently experienced an emergency or crisis. A survey of teachers in the UK showed that teachers wanted more training on how to provide early support to
pupils that appeared to be struggling with their mental health and that there is currently an unmet need for practical, interactive and expert led training that provides resources that can be adapted to individual settings Early support for young people’s mental health is particularly important given the significant
impact of the covid 19 pandemic and the resulting increasing rates of anxiety and depression.

To read and download the full report click the link – Mental health in schools – Dr Laura Spells

Dr Laura Spells

CAMHS Speciality Doctor