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SHP UPDATE TO REGISTERED PATIENTS (7/4/21):

 

This is the first in a series of communications to keep registered SHP patients and stakeholders updated.

 

We are aware of the challenges and increase in demand that we are facing in these unprecedented times, and the criticisms we are currently receiving from our registered patients, which are justifiably being made.

 

As recently highlighted in the Healthwatch document on GP access – GP access during COVID-19, this is not just a Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) issue, but a national issue.

 

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the average number of contacts per patient per year was just over 5. Currently we are seeing an increase in activity of 7-8 contacts per registered patient per year, and demand that is outstripping resource at present.

 

We have seen a significant increase in calls to SHP. From February 2021 to March 2021, we have seen an increase of 51.3% in attempts to get in touch with us.

 

There are many reasons for this current situation;

• Patients - Having patiently waited for some time to access services for their clinical condition, many people have understood that as we unlock nationally, now is the time to get in touch with their General Practice (GP). This has been seen with the recent surge in calls from 25,824 in February 2021 to 39,075 in March 2021.
• Those patients who have been referred to hospital with clinical conditions that have yet to be seen, still need to be managed while they wait. In addition, those patients who are receiving specialist care are often receiving this remotely, and if the consultant wants a test to be done, they are asking patients to ask their GPs to arrange them. We are aware that hospitals are working hard to reduce the waiting lists of patients waiting to be seen. However, whilst this happens more people are contacting their GP practice for support, advice and reassurance.
• We have seen a significant increase in the number of registered patient calls into SHP, of which the pandemic has created the situation we are currently in, alongside an increase in COVID-19 related calls and queries.
• We have significantly contributed to the delivery of the very successful COVID-19 vaccination programme at SHP’s Monkspath Surgery, and continue to work hard to administer vaccines following government guidelines, and with new employees recruited to cover new roles. 75% of all vaccines have been delivered by General Practice.

We understand our patient’s frustrations, we continue to work hard on delivering care for our registered patients, find solutions to the challenges of increased demand, and to improve patient access and telephone answering times.

 

We welcome your feedback and we would urge SHP registered patients to contact us directly on their personal experiences – where our services meet your needs, and where and when they don’t.

If you have any queries, concerns, comments, compliments or suggestions, please contact us directly via;

• Online – using our Patients Feedback page – Have Your Say
• In writing – Send to Solihull Healthcare Partnership Management, Shirley Medical Centre, 8 Union Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 3DT, or drop off at any one of our surgery sites
• Email – admin.shp@nhs.net

Patient feedback is invaluable in helping us achieve improved patient care and services, both now and in the future.

Our next update will answer some of most frequently asked questions.

Date for your diary – We would also like to invite our SHP registered patients to join us on the 15^th June 2021 for an online event, with the SHP Chairman, Dr Lupoli, and the Chief Executive Officer, Steve New - More details to follow.

We would like to thank our registered SHP patients for their continued support and patience.