The RCGP recognises GPs, practices, and patients who come up with ideas that improve efficiency and reduce workload in primary care with Bright Ideas Awards. At the RCGP we want new approaches to be recognised, celebrated and spread.
This year the RCGP sought to capture and share Bright Ideas in general practice which showed qualitatively or quantitatively that they have benefitted the practice in one or more of the following areas:
- Pioneer Award – these recognise and celebrate ideas which are at the forefront of healthcare and pushing the boundaries of general practice.
- High Impact Award – this award recognises and celebrates ideas which have taken a fresh approach to addressing the challenges currently facing primary care and have demonstrated tremendous value.
The 2018 Bright Ideas winners are:
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England
- Dr Muhammed Akunjee, (Pioneer Award)
ProActiveGP Virtual Clinic, a solution which makes contacting patients more efficient, automated, and safer and reduces face-to-face GP appointments through pre-emptive SMS messaging, freeing them up for patients with more pressing clinical needs
- Shirley Bull (High Impact)
A low-cost method of behavioural psychology to reduce missed appointments at her practice in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
Northern Ireland
- Dr Rose McCullagh (High Impact)
CBT Pain management course, a proactive approach to treating pain, which reduces long waiting times for treatment at a pain clinic
Scotland
- Dr Shawkat Hasan (Pioneer Award)
Career Start GP Programme, A programme designed for First5 GPs, which allows a combination of a practice job and a specialty element together with protected continuous professional development time to undertake a specialist diploma
Wales
- Dr Sue Goodfellow (High Impact)
Improving patient services through co-production with our Patient Participation Group, online access to clinical advice for all appointment requests for GPs and Advanced Nurse Practitioners to ensure those patients with the greatest health need are dealt with first, and face to face appointment time is used appropriately, with the most appropriate health care professional.
- Dr Arfon Williams (Pioneer Award)
Improving Capacity in General Practice, a combination of several small, unassuming practice modifications which together brought, sustainable workload for the team, increased morale, and increased patient satisfaction
Read how the implementation of a new system improved telephone appointments at Nightingale Valley Practice.
Read how the 'One Minute Wonder’ improved the service at Sunnyside Medical Centre.
Providing an efficient care pathway for patients with musculoskeletal problems.
Read how one GP trainee took a new approach to investing in medical equipment
The surgery organised a "Movement is Medicine" Steps challenge, hoping to increase staff members knowledge of physical activity benefits and guidelines and in doing so encourage more conversations with patients around increasing physical activity levels.
We ran a two-hour workshop during a staff education afternoon in which we explained the need for health research, why we should participate as a practice and asked staff to think of innovative ways to identify new participants.
The booklet acts as a guide to those starting independent practice with email and website links, as well as useful resources.
We provided lifestyle education for patient who’s HBA1C blood tests were within the pre-diabetic range (42-47) and encouraged engagement and motivation of our patients.
We produced a QR info pod for patients which contained links to all our online services, social media and relevant information about the practice.
The questionnaire we designed is given to relatives of new care home residents who lack capacity to make decisions concerning their welfare.