The Practice Improvement and Crisis Response Team (PICRT) was an initiative established in 2018 by Eastern Federation Support Unit (EFSU), in response to a vulnerable and fragile, General Practice in primary care.  Since its inception, the need for the service provided by the PICRT has not diminished.  General practice continues under pressure.  There are a number of reasons, including an ageing population and increase in chronic diseases, in the context of a limited GP workforce.   

The primary objective of the service is to support practices identified as ‘at risk’ of collapse to develop and implement an effective Practice Recovery Plan (PRP).  This PRP ensures the practice remains viable and sustainable.  The PICRT has demonstrated huge success in ensuring continuity of General Medical Services for the registered patients of these practices.  In addition to the PRP, where an at-risk practice is facing recruitment challenges, this service can supply salaried GP locums at the market rate, to provide clinical cover in the practice. 

The primary reason for referral is the challenge practices are facing to recruit GP clinical staff.  With PICRT intervention, the practice can receive GP clinical support, whilst also improving the practice to make it more attractive for GP’s to accept a permanent job in it. 

The demand for all aspects of the PICRT service is therefore evident. 

To date, over 100 practices have been assessed across Northern Ireland – which is 1/3 of all GP practices in Northern Ireland. 

Practice Improvement for General Practice

  • Assessment and Evaluation: Conducting assessments to identify areas for improvement within a GP Practice. 
  • Training and Development: Providing training programs to enhance skills, knowledge, and competencies of practice staff. 
  • Implementation of Best Practices: Introducing and integrating evidence-based practices and protocols to improve overall performance. 
  • Monitoring and Feedback: Establishing mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and providing feedback to ensure continuous improvement. 
  • Consultation: Offering expert advice and support to help GP Practices optimise their operations and service delivery. 

 

     

    Crisis Response for General Practice

    • Crisis Management Planning: Developing and implementing crisis management plans to prepare for potential emergencies.
    • Rapid Response: Mobilizing quickly to respond to crises, providing immediate support and resources to the GP Practice.
    • Coordination and Communication: Coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and effective response during crises.
    • Support Services: Offering clinical or practice management support, clinical cover and other services to the GP Practice affected by the crises.
    • Post-Crisis Evaluation: Conducting evaluations after a crisis to understand the response’s effectiveness and identify areas for future improvement.  

    Essentially, the PICRT focuses on both proactive measures to improve practices and reactive measures to effectively manage crises, ensuring resilience and high standards of operation within the GP Practices they support. 

    How Can My Practice Benefit from PICRT Support? 

    PICRT support for practice can vary: 

    1. If your practice does not require direct intervention, practice improvement resources used by the PICRT can be accessed here resources.
    2. If your practice requires direct intervention for either clinical support or practice management support, the referral process is outlined here Referrals.