The important role of the GPwER
The GP with an Extended Role (GPwER) has an important and ever-growing role to play within the healthcare system, most notably by optimising outpatient capacity, managing patient demand through innovative, community-based solutions and facilitating more collaborative ways of working between primary and secondary care.
We know that demand for services across both primary and secondary care has been increasing significantly in recent years. Like many specialties, gastroenterology is struggling to meeting this demand with currently available resources. Many innovations and solutions are being explored to rise to the challenge of rising demand and the GPwER offers, in my opinion, a possible solution. This role has many benefits both to the GPwER and healthcare system, with the following being just some of the likely benefits of developing this role further:
Firstly – waiting lists. If we look at the patient pathway, from seeing their GP through to their treatment or investigation at secondary care level, there are opportunities for the GPwER to support referral pathways and manage demand in new and innovative ways. By bringing their specialist knowledge into the community, by supporting referral pathways, by providing advice and guidance to primary care colleagues in their local area and by developing and running community-based services, these GPs can help manage demand in a more effective way.
Secondly – improving the patient pathway. The NHS landscape is changing and there is a drive for greater collaboration between primary and secondary care. There is also a drive for primary care to work more collaboratively at scale within Primary Care Networks (PCNs). With PCNs covering, on average, around 48,000 patients there is a real opportunity to bring specialist care into the community and closer to home for patients. The GPwER can offer the leadership needed to drive forward community-based initiatives within gastroenterology and to provide the link between primary and secondary care. This would improve communication and collaboration between primary and secondary care which the PCSG believe is vital to the development of timely and responsive pathways for patients with gastrointestinal conditions.
Lastly – resilience and retention. We are seeing a huge amount of burnout within both primary and secondary care. A recent survey showed that 70% of GPs are currently feeling very or extremely stressed. For some, developing a portfolio career as a GPwER can provide greater job satisfaction and make general practice a more appealing place to work. This can aid both recruitment and retention of the primary care workforce, whilst providing wider benefits to the healthcare system.
How can I become a GPwER in Gastroenterology?
Step 1: Consult The Framework
Step 2: Find out about the PCSG GPwER Training Course Click on the link
Step 3: Register your interest and ask us to get in touch by clicking here