The Database of Good Practice
Nurse-led, minor-illness service
140 appointments each month are managed by a nurse-led, minor-illness service, which represents 50% of all minor illness appointments at this busy surgery.
| Organisation(s) | Lime Tree Surgery |
| Organisation type | Practice (PMS) |
| Professional groups | General Practitioner Nurse / Nurse Practitioner |
| Themes | Minor illness management |
| Population size | 3000 – 10000 |
| County | Greater London |
| Project status | Active |
| Email us about this case study 
| Download detailed pdf
Summary
The practice was concerned with the time that patients were waiting for an appointment with their GP. The practice was also struggling to recruit a new partner.
The practice staff worked together and decided that the practice would pilot a nurse-led, minor-illness service to make more effective use of practice time. This was developed using the 'collaborative methodology' which provided data to support the practice's approach and to plan the new service.
What was the issue?
This initiative was prompted by patient demand for GP appointments outstripping the capacity of the practice. On some occasions patients were waiting up to two weeks to see a GP. At the same time the practice was finding it difficult to attract another GP partner.
What did they achieve?
The results of the evaluation were encouraging. In a 3-month period the nurses saw 424 patients, of these:
- 37% were referred back to the GP
- 19% required prescription medication
- 10% subsequently booked an appointment with the GP.
Key learning points
- Keep patients informed of new developments and try to find out if they find your plans acceptable.
- Involve all staff in the implementation of the initiative.
- Be prepared to be flexible for patients who prefer to see a GP.
Costs
The costs to implement this initiative include:
- increasing nursing hours to provide the service; the practice funded this out of practice funds
- other costs include funds to pay for training and protected time to develop the initiative.
Contacts
Dr Liaquat Ali
Principal GP
Lime Tree Surgery
Lime Tree Surgery 38 Cann Hall Road Leytonstone E11 3HZ
Tel: 020 8519 9914
lali@doctors.org.uk