Press Release
New name and new contract win for innovative GP Federation
Press Release
New name and new contract win for innovative GP Federation
16 December 2013
The Suffolk GP Federation, which has been formed through the merger of two Suffolk GP organisations (Partners in Practice (PIPS) and IpsFed), has won a major new five year contract to deliver diabetes services to 17,000 adults in the Colchester and Tendring areas.
The terms of the contract, which was awarded by the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, have been innovatively developed so that 25% of Suffolk GP Federation’s income will be based on results. These include the achievement of top quarter placements in national performance tables for HbA1c (a blood test which checks diabetes is under control) and for cholesterol. The completion of annual health checks and ensuring all newly diagnosed diabetes patients receive the right education about their condition will also be paid by results.
The Chair of Suffolk GP Federation, Dr Tim Reed, said: “This is a pioneering contract both in terms of the payment by results and in the way it provides an integrated approach for patients, who will find it easier to book and attend their diabetes appointments by using a single point of contact and by accessing higher level care locally to where they live. To achieve this we will be working very closely with all the GP practices in the Colchester and Tendring areas and with Colchester Hospital who will provide specialist care and clinics for those with complex needs.”
People living with diabetes, Patient Forums in Colchester and Tendring, as well as healthcare professionals, will be consulted about the final plans by Suffolk GP Federation before it launches the adult diabetes service in April 2014.
Dr Gary Sweeney, Chair of the CCG Board, said: “Outcomes for our patients do need to be improved, and I’m confident that the new service will do that, more effectively meeting patients’ needs. Suffolk GP Federation demonstrated it could meet our criteria for improving quality and the patient experience, whilst ensuring overall cost does not increase. We are very pleased to award them this contract.”
Sharon Roberts, Eastern Regional Manager, Diabetes UK, said: “Diabetes UK and the local Service Champion were actively involved throughout the project, ensuring that feedback from people living with diabetes was taken on board and that the best provider was selected. It was a very thorough approach to engaging people in the improvement of their health care services.”
Suffolk GP Federation has formed a new Community Interest Company with the aim of improving the range and quality of local healthcare delivery in Suffolk and in neighbouring counties. As well as the new adult diabetes service contract in North East Essex, it will continue to deliver the services previously provided by PIPS and IpsFed in Suffolk, which include services for Lymphoedema, ultrasound, cardiology and urology.
The Federation has recruited GP practice members from across Suffolk to become members and has developed an innovative approach to community based intermediate care clinics which involves patients being seen at GP practices by a team consisting of a consultant, one or more clinical assistants (who are GPs who have had additional training) and specialist nurses.
The delivery model for community based intermediate care clinics has already proved to work well in enabling patients to access treatment more locally to where they live, with Suffolk GP Federation’s cardiology and urology patients already benefiting from this approach. A similar approach will be used to help introduce more adult diabetes services at a local level in North East Essex, helping reduce the need for hospital visits.
The Members of Suffolk GP Federation will remain independent GP organisations whilst collaborating in the further development of local primary care and the delivery of improved services for patients. The Federation will also help its member GP practices by providing recruitment and development programmes and by helping them to share ideas and best practice. The GP Federation is currently based in Rendlesham but will be moving to new headquarters in 2014 at the former Riverside Clinic in Ipswich, when the new organisation will be formally launched.
Ends
For further press information about Suffolk GP Federation please call:
Penny Arbuthnot, Genesis PR Telephone: 01473 326401 / 07885 238374
Email: penny.arbuthnot@genesispr.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Suffolk GP Federation
- Suffolk GP Federation has been commissioned by North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver an integrated diabetes service for North East Essex from April 2014. Details of the service are being shaped with input from a wide range of stakeholders including Diabetes UK.
- The not-for-profit Suffolk GP Federation has 40 independent GP practices covering 360,000 patients and is growing quickly. Its objectives are to improve the range and quality of local healthcare. Members remain independent GP organisations whilst collaborating in the further development of local primary care and the delivery of improved services for patients.
- At the centre of Suffolk GP Federation’s services is a referral booking service hub to ensure patients are quickly and efficiently booked into services.
- The delivery models developed for each NHS service are bespoke, ensuring efficient, local services for patients.
- Current contracts include services for Lymphoedema and community based ultrasound. The Federation also runs innovative community based intermediate clinics for cardiology and urology. These involve patients being seen at GP practices by a team consisting of a consultant, one or more clinical assistants (who are GPs who have had additional training) and specialist nurses.
- Suffolk GP Federation is a Community Interest Company. Address is 6 Acer Road, Rendlesham, Woodbridge IP12 2GA. See www.suffolkfed.org.uk