Summer 2016 Staff Magazine

Summer 2016
Patients at the heart of
new care model in Blyth
As part of our ‘vanguard’ work, we have
been working closely with health and care
teams in Blyth to support people who
have very complex care needs.
Since May 2016, our team of newly appointed
pharmacists have been working with GPs and other
primary care colleagues to help ensure elderly
people living in care homes are taking the most
effective combinations of medication.
We have also been working with Station Medical
Group - a multi-disciplinary team consisting of
community nurses, pharmacists and social care
workers, is now actively supporting the practice in
managing daily telephone requests for GP home visits.
Since the pilot began, around 30 per cent
of all home visits are now being carried out by our
pharmacists. This work will soon be rolled out to
cover all GP practices in Blyth and eventually scaled
up across the whole of Northumberland.
The ‘ v ’ word – what does it all mean?!
Put simply, the 'vanguard' work taking place in Northumberland is all about continuous improvement.
It’s about thinking of ways to make our services even more joined up from hospital to home and
how we can proactively work with GPs and colleagues in primary care to look after people in a more
proactive and joined up way.
Keep up-to-date with what’s happening by following @NorthumberlandNHS
One system, one team, one you
Did you know that we now have access to
patients’ primary care records using The Medical
Interoperability Gateway (the MiG)? With
appropriate patient consent, you can view their:
» Current and past diagnosed conditions
» Current and past medications
» Test results
» Allergies and adverse reactions
» Recent encounters and visits to primary care
» Up-to-date contact details
Please visit the MiG intranet page (found in the
A-Z) for more information on how to access.