A NEW service which aims to deliver an improved service for patients when visiting their GP practice is now available at surgeries across south Worcestershire.
In recent months, each GP practice has introduced a Care Navigator, to enhance patients/carers understanding of the different services available to them, with particular focus on older people.
Health chiefs hope the new role will free up GP time, improve patient experiences, increase skills in GP practices and ultimately provide a network of care navigator to provide awareness of resources on offer in the community.
All care navigators have attended a training programme delivered by South Worcestershire CCG in partnership with SW Healthcare to ensure they point patients in the direction of the correct services.
They have become the first port of call for frail older people and their carers, people whose lives are affected by dementia, patients with mobility issues, patients looking for care homes, housebound patients and patients with social problems.
Dr Maggie Keeble, clinical lead for Proactive Care at NHS South Worcestershire CCG, said: “We’ve had some very positive feedback from a number of patients, carers and the GP practices.
“I’d like to thank all the care navigators for their hard work and dedication in helping to shape the development of this new role in south Worcestershire.”
South Worcestershire GP practices are among the first in the country to introduce this post and are leading the way as frailty will be part of the GP contract in 2017/18 and training for Care Navigation is included in the GP Forward View.
