Consultant Connect was rolled out at pace in partnership with NHS North Central London CCG to support key services during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, three months after the launch, we discussed the success of the partnership with Stephen Wells, Senior Programme Manager from Enfield Borough Directorate, NHS North Central London CCG. To read the full conversation, please click here.
Now, another seven months on, we are going to take a look at what else the project has achieved since it launched nearly 10 months ago.
10 months since launch…
70% of Enfield GPs have downloaded the Consultant Connect App.
Telephone Advice & Guidance
- > 3,800 calls placed
- 93% average first-time connection rate
- 31 seconds average connection time
- 4 minutes 17 seconds average call length
Photo and Messaging Advice & Guidance
- >1,500 messages sent for A&G
- > 1,300 messages sent for Dermatology A&G
Initially, the project launched with access to NHS consultants from the National Consultant Network (NCN) only. This was to ensure that the project could be rolled out quickly, early on in the pandemic. Since June, we have gradually brought on local consultant teams and now 12 local teams from hospitals in North Central London are on board.
We asked Stephen Wells what factors have contributed to the project’s success. He told us:
“Sending regular email updates to remind the GPs and Practice Managers of the services available such as when new specialities are added locally. Sharing success stories, which flowed without any prompting! As well as regular training sessions such as webinars.”
Kat James, who manages Consultant Connect’s partnership with NHS North Central London CCG explains what has contributed to this project’s quick success. She told us:
“This project was one of the fastest ramp of any of our Advice & Guidance projects. One of the success factors is the way the CCG committed to this. The PCN leads were brilliant at supporting their GPs with mobilisation and sharing success stories.”
Future expansion of the Consultant Connect service
Stephen and his team have identified the following areas to also use Consultant Connect:
- Mental Health
- Urgent Care – including pan London work re: NHS 111, paramedic use and UT
- Paediatrics -including Enfield Specialist Asthma Nurse for Children
- Consultant to a GP – enable consultants to speak to a local GP about a patient referral
- Care Homes – local Care Homes access
Click here to read a PDF Stephen Wells’ presentation that he has kindly agreed for us to share. Alternatively, you can view this by clicking through the slideshow below:
