GP practices across the UK can effectively pre-empt patient demand by leveraging hidden data and adopting proactive strategies, according to a panel of healthcare experts.
Speaking at a recent webinar, NHS leaders and consultants outlined innovative approaches to manage the growing pressures on primary care services.
The event, which focused on transforming reactive care models into proactive systems, highlighted the untapped potential of data-driven decision making in general practice.
Dr Bilal Patel, GP Partner at Solihull Healthcare Partnership, emphasised the importance of balancing services.
He said: "It's getting that balance right of trying to make sure we can optimise all of the services that we've got around the patient, the admin, the bureaucracy that is that machine of general practice that's out there and really target it to those people who need it."
Nick Downham, an independent health and social care improvement specialist, highlighted the need for proactive planning. Mr Downham added: "To achieve [quality care], we can't just maintain the position of reacting to illness or reactive to what walks through our door. We have to be much more pre-emptive, anticipate, and plan."
Liz Ward, a digital and transformation lead in a large PCN, stressed the importance of context in data collection. She said: "We really need to move to a system where we collect data and measures that matter to patients but also matter to the practice as well, and that's where the context comes in."
Sajid Khan from Develop Consulting pointed out the challenges in data analysis, and added: "Getting data is far harder than it should be... We've got huge variation not only in the practices' capability but also in individuals' ability to extract data from systems and analyse it in an effective, meaningful way."
The panel, which was chaired by Darren Jones, a strategic advisor for the NHS, agreed that while measuring demand is crucial, acting on that data is equally important. They discussed the balance between reactive and proactive care, the impact of digital tools, and the importance of understanding both macro and micro-level demand in practices.
If you missed the discussion, and want to see more, you can watch the full webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-BQctwig1o
The next webinar, "Predicting the Unpredictable: Navigating Winter Pressures with Hidden Insights in Primary Care," is scheduled on October 31 from 1pm. Sign up for it now, here.
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