Learning from practice

This is Conwy’s first Primary Health Care Centre, established in late 2005 and opened formally by Dr Brian Gibbons in 2006. It is the first of its kind in Wales.

The project was particularly helped by the positive attitude of the GP practice and financial support from the LHB. A multi-agency steering group has managed service integration and the development of the building itself has been managed by the GP practice.

A full range of services are delivered from the Centre, including:

• GP Surgery
• District Nurses
• Health visitors
• Social Work
• Occupational Therapy
• Home Care
• Pharmacy

Additional services are delivered on a sessional or part-time, basis, including:

• Housing officer
• Welfare rights

There is a single point of access for members of the public, whichever service they are calling for. The waiting room acts as an information point for all services.

All the services operating from the building work to the same ‘locality’ focus - broadly that of the GPs’ catchment area.

A building management team has been established to ensure effective working of the different agencies in the new service, and a lead practitioner appointed to explore further service development and joint working opportunities, including pooled budgets and reviewing job roles.

Monitoring and evaluation of the scheme will be focused through a Consultant Nurse post, financed by the LHB. Anecdotal evidence so far indicates much improved inter-agency communication during the care assessment process, and resultant improved care outcomes for clients.

Conwy Social Care & Housing, Conwy Local Health Board and the Conwy & Denbighshire NHS Trust have a jointly agreed strategy of developing locality based health and social care provision. Two further PHCCs are currently in the planning stage.