The Digital First Primary Care (DFPC) Programme was formed as part of the national initiative to improve access to general practice. Maximising the use and adoption of digital technology is also a key aspect of the five-year primary care system plan: the Greater Manchester Primary Care Blueprint.
In establishing the programme, the team worked closely with two Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Greater Manchester (GM) to try and understand the operational and patient service benefits associated with digital transformation.
Working with two PCNs with differing levels of digital maturity and capabilities, was important in informing the DFPC strategy. These pilots gave valuable insight into the journey and essential steps in digital transformation.
The DFPC Programme aims to:
- improve patient access to GP services so patients can easily access the advice, support, and treatment they need using digital and online tools
- improve staff ways of working
- optimise capacity management in general practices and PCNs
A phased approach to implement improvements
The DFPC Programme has adopted a phased approach to implement improvements as shown below.
Understand
Understand the current digital landscape within GM and identify issues, best practice and patient experience
Reimagine
Design ‘what good looks like’ for using digital tools effectively based on insights from the Understand phase
Implement
Identify priorities and codesign a delivery plan with localities, support change and adoption through training and communications and to support practices implement improvements
The DFPC Programme is currently in the implementation phase and is aligned with the national General Practice Improvement Programme (GPIP) launched in June 2023.
The Programme team has continued to build strong relationships with general practice, PCNs and leaders across the region, advancing digital access to primary care services in Greater Manchester.
As part of the whole DFPC team, 17 Digital Facilitators are collectively supporting PCNs and practices to implement improvements by:
- providing hands on advice, guidance, one-to-one coaching and training to support local digital transformation initiatives
- working in partnership with local authorities and the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to promote the NHS App across Greater Manchester by supporting face-to-face engagement events in communities. This has made a huge difference to people who did not know these services were available, or how to access them digitally
- delivering a shared goal of promoting digital inclusion and encouraging patients to actively take part in their own care
Digital Facilitators have contributed towards some excellent outcomes by working together and supporting each other to improve the digital front door in general practice.
DFPC priorities
Digital access to primary care
- improve practice websites
- NHS App – patient health record
- virtual contacts, triage and digital care
- cloud based telephony – impact on access and demand
Enabling digital change in primary care
- upskill workforce
- enhanced communications
Automation in primary care
- automation in primary care
Projects in scope
Over the next 12 months, the priority projects in scope are focusing on supporting primary care to transform digital access to improve patient experience and access so patients get the right advice at the right time in the most efficient way possible:
- improving practice websites
- NHS App
- virtual contacts
- triage and digital care navigation
- supporting cloud based telephony
“The results Digital Facilitators are achieving through engagement with practice staff and patients is phenomenal. There’s considerable increase in NHS App usage, practice websites have been improved, and a Digital Champions network has been established in each locality. This team has gone through their own transformation. They are now empowered to empower the staff and patients they work with – taking time to help them embrace the opportunities that digital offers.” Dr Gareth Thomas, Digital Innovation Director at Health Innovation Manchester and NHS Greater Manchester
“The team have enabled a step change in the understanding of how to maximise value from the range of digital assets at their disposal and have facilitated a much needed uplift in capability over a relatively short period of time.” Malcolm Whitehouse CBE MBA FBCS, Chief Information Officer, Digital and IT Services, Senior Information Risk Officer, NHS Greater Manchester
For more information, contact Kal Panchal, DFPC Programme Director, kal.panchal@healthinnovationmanchester.com
