All posts by Eden Underwood

Resolving workplace disputes: mediation services for practices

News,

Our people services team now offers a mediation service to help practices settle disputes and develop healthier working relationships. The service focuses on finding solutions that everyone is happy with, improving communication, and setting clear parameters for future co-working. 

Gertruda Grudyte, One Care’s senior HR advisor, said: “A lot of workplace conflict is left to develop and worsen. With early intervention we can help stop issues escalating. 

“Our mediation service is informal and voluntary. Mediation can only happen when everyone is open to it and wants it to succeed so we work with both parties to a perceived conflict to make sure they want to be a part of it.  

“We don’t apportion blame; it’s about working together to find a way to cooperate and work well in the future.” 

 

What to expect 

If you contact our team for mediation, they will arrange a free assessment to discuss the situation. You will be asked questions about the issue, and both parties will be asked if they’re willing to join mediation. 

Following the initial assessment, and if both parties are happy to take part, separate and joint meetings are held to work towards a resolution. Due to the confidential nature of the meetings, managers are only told whether or not an agreement has been reached – no details are shared. As well as confidentiality, other careful rules of engagement are followed during the meetings, including honesty, openness, and courtesy. 

 

Cost 

The service is offered to BNSSG practices at a day rate of £450, although this can vary depending on the nature of the issue and how the practice wants to deal with it. The initial assessment is free of charge. 

To find out more please contact people.services@onecare.org.uk 

The new staff support scheme

News,

The One Care general practice support team (GPS) offer mentoring sessions for newly recruited members of practice management, to help them get up to speed with their new roles quickly.

The new staff support scheme uses the GPS team’s extensive experience working in practice and alongside practice managers to support you – whether this is your first time working in general practice or within the BNSSG area.

The GPS team is highly knowledgeable in all aspects of practice management and can provide tools, pragmatic guidance, hints, and dedicated time to focus on the support you feel you need. They can also introduce One Care and the rest of the local healthcare system, advising staff on the nuances of working within the BNSSG region.

For sessions covering systems such as TeamNet or EMIS, GPS can arrange for managers to meet with One Care’s digital team for a specialised session.

You will be entitled to six sessions (face-to-face or via Teams, providing tailored advice and dedicated sessions on CQC, general practice finance, and more. The team is also available for any follow-up questions on an ad-hoc basis.

The GPS team has been working with new members of practice management already, and a practice manager has found the service beneficial in their new role. They said:

‘One Care’s new staff support scheme was incredibly helpful in getting started as a practice manager. Having a knowledgeable point of contact at the end of the phone and email was hugely important and really helped me to find my feet. The service they provide to new staff is fantastic.’

If you are new to your role and feel that this scheme would benefit you, please contact the GPS team practice.support@onecare.org.uk

NHS App project

News,

The NHS App project aims to increase the usage of the NHS App, promote digital inclusion, and reduce SMS costs by maximising messaging sent through the NHS App free of charge.

The project, which is funded by the ICB, has been in collaboration with practices across BNSSG, to ensure they understand the benefits of the app, how they can integrate it into their own workflows and how best to support patients in using it. Organisations such as the acute hospitals, AWP, local councils and Sirona sit on the project board and contribute to the project aims.

To reduce traffic to practice phonelines, the project has shared details of community organisations (e.g. public libraries and VCSE’s) with BNSSG practices, to provide patients with support and guidance on how to use the app to manage their care online.

The project has also launched a local communications campaign in which they sent NHS App promotional materials to all pharmacies across BNSSG.

The NHS App project:

  • releases time for practices by streamlining patient access to medical records, test results and ordering repeat prescriptions on the app
  • automates the process for reducing SMS templates and provides practices within BNSSG with the resource to do so, enabling efficient use of SMS messaging – the costs for which are covered by the ICB
  • promotes digital inclusion by engaging patients in one-to-one support sessions to encourage the use of the NHS App through supporting with language barriers and providing access to devices and connectivity

The NHS App project provides free training to staff in general practice on the promotion and functionality of the app. Grace Mander, the project manager for the NHS App project, has said ‘This support has helped practices feel confident about promoting the app to their patients.’

Please reach out to Grace or the team at nhs.app@onecare.org.uk to understand how the NHS App can benefit your practice and your patients.