In this issue:
- New contract secured to provide Ophthalmology Coordination Service
- Dr Ben Atkins appointed Chief Officer – Clinical for IPC
- IPC seeks new non-executive director
- New digital training for GP practices
- Gynae update: New hub site and additional training for GPs
- Dermatology update: Referrals on the rise
- IPC patient services – quarterly feedback
- Last chance to enter the Gill Schweigert Innovation Award
- IPC Chair receives Long Service Award
- High praise for the Training Hub
New contract secured to provide Ophthalmology Coordination Service
IPC delivery partner, South Warwickshire GP Federation, has secured a two-year contract on behalf of Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Primary Care to provide an Ophthalmology Coordination Service (OCS) Hub across the system.
The new contract builds on the success of the existing Ophthalmology Coordination Service introduced by Coventry & Warwickshire ICB in 2024. SWGP will continue to provide the OCS in its role as delivery partner for IPC.
Over the past two years, the OCS has processed over 50,000 referrals, of which:
- 37% were from Coventry
- 34% were from South Warwickshire
- 18% were from Warwickshire North
- 11% were from Rugby
The new contract runs for two years from July 2026, with the option to extend for a further two years.
Dr Ben Atkins appointed Chief Officer – Clinical for IPC
Dr Ben Atkins has been appointed to the new post of Chief Officer – Clinical, and will lead the delivery of new IPC contracts.
Ben has been working with IPC in his previous role as Associate Director for over a year. In that time he has led our business development activity which has seen IPC attract several new contracts and build stronger relationships with local partners across the system.
Ben’s new role is effective from August 2026. The role is part time and Ben will continue to deliver his clinical work alongside his IPC activities.
Chair, Cristina Ramos, said:
“I’m delighted to see Ben take on this new role as Chief Officer – Clinical. This is an important time for IPC as we expand our services and deliver some high-profile work in partnership with colleagues across the system. Ben’s skills and expertise will be key in enabling us to develop successfully and deliver consistently high quality services.”
IPC seeks new non-executive director
IPC is seeking a new non-executive director to help guide our future development.
This role is about providing expertise, specialist skills, and constructive challenge, to support IPC Board and help us continue to deliver excellent services.
Full details, including how to apply, can be found on the NHS jobs site
New digital training for GP practices
The Digital Champions have been working in partnership with Coventry & Warwickshire Training Hub and Dr Sing Tiong (SK) to develop short video-based training covering the basics of EMIS Web, Docman and Accurx.
The training will be tiered, beginning with bronze (entry level) training. Additional videos and training tools will be added covering more advanced topics in the coming weeks.
The new service is being piloted with some practices in early August, with a view to rolling out more widely across the system in the following weeks, depending on pilot feedback. More details will be published on the IPC website (latest section) when available: https://cwintegratedprimarycare.nhs.uk/latest/
Work to promote NHS App uptake continues – the latest case study covers how the team has engaged with Parkrun events in Leamington and Bedworth to reach more people in a trusted, community-based environment. Latest case studies will be shared on the IPC website.
Gynae update: New hub site and additional training for GPs
GPs delivering the Primary Care Gynaecology Service have received additional training from consultant colleagues at SWFT. This is enabling the team to support more patients with a range of gynaecological conditions or support needs.
The service received over 280 referrals per month during the first quarter off 2026/27– an 87% increase compared with two years ago.
We have also opened a new hub site in Warwickshire North, at Station Street Surgery in Atherstone.
Dermatology update: Referrals on the rise
Referral numbers have increased significantly for dermatology during Q1 2026/27 – up 83% compared with the same quarter last year.
Dr Rabi Nambi, Primary Care Dermatology’s Consultant Dermatologist, gave a PLT talk in June “Dermatology – a guide to treatments” to help support GPs and aid referral guidance.
IPC patient services – quarterly feedback
Patient feedback continues to be very strong for IPC services. Latest quarterly figures (April to June) show that of those who shared feedback:
- 98% gynaecology patients rate their experience of the service as good or very good
- 99% dermatology patients rate their experience of the service as good or very good
- 98% ophthalmology patients rate their experience of the Ophthalmology Coordination Service as excellent or very good
- 100% of Respiratory@home patients rated their experience as either good or very good
“That assurance that someone was there took the worry out of my condition for me and my husband. Most grateful to know there was someone monitoring me and a system that would respond should it have worsened.” Respiratory@home patient
“The doctor that performed my treatment was not only very professional, but was very personable, clear and made me feel at ease.” Primary Care Dermatology patient
“I’m so grateful for this service, to be able to speak to a specialist in menopause and have all my questions answered with warmth and empathy” Primary Care Gynaecology Service patient
Respiratory@home is delivered on behalf of IPC by Coventry & Rugby GP Alliance. Primary Care Dermatology, the Primary Care Gynaecology and the Ophthalmology Coordination Service are delivered on behalf of IPC by South Warwickshire GP Federation.
Coventry & Warwickshire Training Hub
Last chance to enter the Gill Schweigert Innovation Award
Time is running out to enter the Gill Schweigert Award for innovation in nursing. Nominations close at 5pm on 28 August 2026.
This award recognises nursing teams across General Practice in Coventry and Warwickshire who are making practical improvements to patient care, team working or service delivery. Visit the Training Hub website for details on how to nominate.
IPC Chair receives Long Service Award
IPC Chair, Cristina Ramos, was among 14 GPs to receive a Long Service Award from the Training Hub last month.
Cristina has dedicated 25 years to supporting patients and communities in her role as GP. In that time, she has also been instrumental in strengthening the role of primary care across the system through her work with IPC and SWGP Federation.
Congratulations to Cristina and everyone nominated for the Training Hub’s GP Long Service Award. Between them, they represent more than 450 years of experience in supporting patients, clinical leadership, mentoring, and commitment to their local communities.
Thank you all for the difference you have made, and continue to make, across General Practice.
High praise for the Training Hub
Dr Toyosi Adeniji, GP partner and national RCGP First5 Chair, has praised Coventry & Warwickshire Training Hub as ‘exemplary’ following a recent event hosted by the Training Hub.
In a recent post on LinkedIn, Dr Adeniji said: “I do not mince my words when I say they are an exemplary training hub when it comes to support for GPs and Registrars and more! …their intentionality blows my mind.”
Huge thank you to Dr Adeniji for her kind words – read the full post on LinkedIn
Training Hub news
For all the latest Training Hub news, visit: https://www.cwtraininghub.co.uk/august-newsletter-2026-cwth/
If you don’t receive the newsletters directly and would like to be added to the distribution list, please send a request to cw.traininghub@nhs.net.
