Primary Care Development programmes

Primary care is one of the most rewarding areas to work in, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Our team of advisers are GPs, nurses and practice managers with the expertise and skills to work with you to overcome the challenges you may be facing and to develop the entire team to deliver the best patient care you can.

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Our services

Coaching

We can provide tailored bespoke coaching packages for various groups or individuals within the workforce, including GPs, PMs, - the whole staff team, PCN leaders, and strategic decision-makers.

Coaching is a supportive and developmental process that improves self-confidence, enabling the coachee to become more self-reliant and gain both job and life satisfaction.

We have seen our successful coachees increase their effectiveness and take greater responsibility for actions and commitments.

All our coaches have great experience, and a Primary Care background, they receive regular, independent supervision.

Mediation and conflict resolution

Conflict within a general practice or a PCN can be very disruptive, impacting individuals involved and the practice’s ability to operate effectively.

The RCGP offers proven conflict management and mediation support to help you resolve disputes constructively.  Our expert team of GPs, practice managers and nurses bring first-hand knowledge and understanding of complexities of general practice, offering insightful, compassionate support tailored to your needs

We’ll work with you to navigate sensitive situations, foster constructive dialogue and achieve positive lasting resolutions – helping your practice restore collaboration and focus on delivering high quality patient care.

CQC resolution and preparation

If you're preparing for an upcoming CQC inspection, looking to improve your rating, or need support to address issues from a recent inspection, our expert advisory team is here to help with tailored support. 

We’ll work closely with you and your practice team to identify, analyse, and resolve any challenges that could impact your inspection outcome - helping you to feel confident and prepared

Since 2019, 98% of practices we have supported have either maintained their Good rating or improved their CQC rating.

Skill audits

Are you maximising the skills in your practice? Are patients seeing the right person, at the right time, the first time?

We can help you optimise your workforce by ensuring you have the right skill mix to meet patient needs effectively.

This includes helping you make the most of the funding and roles available through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), such as Clinical Pharmacists, Paramedics, Care Co-ordinators, and Health and Wellbeing Coaches. By integrating these roles you can free up time for GP time in your practice.

Sustainability planning

Begin your Net Zero journey by exploring the Net Zero hub, where you’ll find a range of free resources, including learning modules and a practice decarbonisation guide. These resources provide practical solutions to help you and your practice reduce your carbon footprint, improve efficiency, and achieve cost savings.

If you require more direct support, the RCGP can provide tailored Net Zero guidance as part of our Primary Care Development (PCD) service. We offer flexible support for individual practices or PCNs, including expert advice, resources, and sessions to help you develop and implement sustainability initiatives.

Building stronger, more resilient teams

A well-functioning team is key to achieve effective solutions and creating a harmonious and respectful environment. When teams work well together, practices see improved staff retention and higher job satisfaction.

Team building days can strengthen resilience in the face of the unique challenges faced in Primary Care, leading to better patients experience and a more caring environment.

Whether you’re aiming to foster better communication, set collective goals, or solve challenges together, our PCD team can work with you to create a tailored programme that meets your specific needs.

We offer flexible support, available both onsite and virtually, to help you build a more cohesive and productive team.

At scale commissioners

Working with larger NHS commissions enables us to deliver comprehensive, far-reaching support with a lasting impact. We collaborate closely with PCNs, ICBs, and Health Boards to build strong relationships, leveraging local insights alongside our unrivalled expertise in primary care. This allows us to design and implement tailored support programmes that drive meaningful and sustainable improvements.

Devolved nations

The RCGP has faculties in all four nations of the United Kingdom, offering support to practices in both England and the devolved nations. If you are part of a practice cluster or a University Health Board in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland and are interested in implementing an improvement programme in your area, we’d love to hear from you. 

Get in touch, and we can explore how best to tailor our support to meet your requirements.

We have a proven track record of working at scale with Welsh University Health Boards (UHBs), NHS England, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Primary Care Networks (PCNs), to support practices and developed continuity plans.

PCN support

Let us help develop your PCN with wide reaching support across all members of the team. We can work with you to help combine resources, to share good practice and improvement opportunities across the locality to benefit staff and improving patient care.

Contact the PCD team

Email: pcd@rcgp.org.uk
Telephone: 07818 372764