Primary Care Access Programme

The Primary Care Access Programme (PCAP):

• Promotes understanding of systems to improve access over a 7-week sprint
• Supports primary care teams to identify the root causes of access issues
• Uses quality improvement methodology to test and embed changes to improve patients’ access to care

The PCAP, developed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, is delivered locally across NHS Lanarkshire by the Primary Care Improvement Team.  It utilises evidence based approaches designed to help primary care teams use data to explore challenges, identify opportunities for change and improve access to care.

PCAP supports primary care teams to examine the root causes of access issues, prioritise changes and use quality improvement methodology to embed strategies that facilitate access for patients.  Over a 7-week sprint period participants focus on one aspect of access challenges within their practice with full support provided by the Primary Care Improvement Team Improvement Advisors. Plus engage with PCAP’s coaching support, data tools and analysis, quality improvement approaches, peer discussion and shared learning to implement successful changes.

Learning in Lanarkshire

Several practices across Lanarkshire have undergone PCAP.  Local challenges identified and addressed include:

• 44% of calls received did not require GP appointments and working through PCAP the practice implemented a safe and effective means to manage these calls
• 13 hours of calls per week were non-clinical and non-appointment related and could be managed elsewhere and PCAP supported a new process to workflow this activity which was also time effective

We’ve shared our learning from the first cohort of practices at a QI Lunchtime Session and have interviewed two practices.

Register your interest for PCAP now

PCAP is open to Lanarkshire’s primary care teams including GP clusters, GP practices, pharmacotherapy and multi-disciplinary teams.  Participants receive hands on, practical support throughout and after the programme.

If you’re interested in being part of the next sprint email LanPCIT@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

For more information on PCAP visit https://ihub.scot/primarycareaccess