The Database of Good Practice
Practice-employed, first-contact health visitor
A total of 170 GP appointments each month have been released by a first-contact, health-visitor-led, minor-illness service for children. The evaluation of the service showed that 93% of all patients presenting at the clinic had their condition resolved by the health visitor.
| Organisation(s) | Goyt Valley Medical Practice |
| Organisation type | Practice (PMS) |
| Professional groups | General Practitioner |
| Themes | Wider use of Healthcare professionals |
| Population size | 3000 – 10000 |
| County | Derbyshire |
| Project status | Active |
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Summary
The practice had identified that minor-illness management for children made up a significant proportion of the demand for GP appointments. To address this workload, the practice employed a health visitor to provide a first-contact, minor-illness service for children.
What was the issue?
The practice had identified that minor-illness management for children made up a significant proportion of the demand for GP appointments. The practice wanted to focus GP time on the management of more complex cases and, in particular, on patients with long-term conditions.
What did they achieve?
The initiative was started in 1999 and data from the first 3 years are summarised below. In the first year, 30% of cases seen were resolved by the health visitor without the child needing to see a GP.
In the second year, this rose to 60% and by the third year, this stood at 80%.
Key learning points
- The health visitor can provide primary medical services beyond their traditional public health role.
- The service requires the support of the practice team and parents to succeed.
- Effective communication with parents and carers is essential for the service to succeed.
Costs
The practice has invested in a senior health visitor (Grade H) who is employed full time to provide this service, as well as some other nursing duties. The service required a room, although this could be shared. Access to the practice IT system was also required. Publicising the service required some work and investment in the early stages.
Contacts
Mike Richardson
Nursing Team Leader/Health Visitor
Goyt Valley Medical Practi
Goyt Valley Medical Practice Whaley Bridge High Peak SK23 7SR
01663 732911
mike.richardson3@nhs.net