Latest news from Coventry & Warwickshire IPC.
In this issue:
- Working with commissioners
- Service updates
- Training Hub news
Working with commissioners
IPC Board recently met representatives from Coventry & Warwickshire ICB to explore how we could provide additional services to help the ICB meet its objectives, with structural change on the horizon, and pressures to find savings.
We are also actively pursuing decisions on contract extensions for the services we currently provide, as well as diversifying our income sources, starting with a new contract from Warwickshire County Council to provide smoking cessation services throughout Warwickshire.
Please follow our LinkedIn page for latest updates.
Services updates
Primary Care Dermatology service expands
After just two months of operating, Primary Care Dermatology is expanding to take on five additional GPs and two new clinic sites. This brings the total number of GPs with specialist expertise to 16 GPs, and the number of clinic sites to nine.
This expansion is in response to the number of referrals received, which has increased to over 80 per week. We’d particularly encourage practices in Coventry to refer eligible patients to ensure we’re providing a consistent level of support across the system.
For details about what the service covers and the full list of clinic locations, please visit the dermatology service page on the website.
If you have any queries, please contact the PCD team from Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm on:
swg-tr.primarycaredermatology@nhs.net or 01926 698299
Digital Champions Update
AI for general practice
Digital Champions hosted the latest in a series of ‘AI for general practice’ webinars on 5 June, featuring guest speaker Dr Amar Ahmed. Dr Ahmed shared his insights of using AI in general practice.
NHS App – increasing uptake
Patient drop-in sessions in Nuneaton & Bedworth
The team has been working with Nuneaton & Bedworth PCN to support migration from a temporary solution for ordering repeat medications and making appointments to the NHS App. This included running a series of drop-in sessions for patients, targeting those who had not yet registered for the NHS App and were at risk of digital exclusion. Working closely with Red Roofs Practice and the PCN, Digital Champions delivered three face-to-face drop-in sessions, supporting 50 patients to register with the App. To date this has led to a 2% increase in app usage among the practice’s patients.
Read more in our NHS App case study.
Enabling NHS App uptake among asylum seekers
The Digital Champions have been working with a PCN to help asylum seekers to access digital health services. The team has created content explaining the app in seven languages, and delivered three face-to-face sessions, with more planned.
The project has been welcomed by GPs and recipients and could be rolled out in other areas if there is demand.
Ophthalmology Coordination Service – one year on
A year ago, the ICB launched its Ophthalmology Coordination Service (OCS) as part of its wider pathway review for ophthalmology referrals.
In the first year, over 21,000 routine or urgent eye referrals have been processed by the OCS directly from optician practices across Coventry and Warwickshire. This has removed the administrative burden placed on GP practices to process these referrals, while ensuring GPs remain informed about their patients and any follow up care that may be required.
Patients are already benefiting from more choice of provider and hospital trusts are currently in the process of changing their approach to provide different clinic types to suit patient needs.
Coventry & Warwickshire Training Hub
We’re delighted to share that Training Hub has won the ‘Dedication to Lifelong Learning’ award at this year’s Health Heroes Awards, hosted by Skills for Health.
This recognition reflects the commitment and capability of the Training Hub team but also the invaluable support from NHSE, Coventry and Warwickshire ICB and general practice colleagues across Coventry and Warwickshire.
The team was nominated recognising several innovative programmes of work. Read more about this and other news and opportunities in the latest Training Hub newsletter: https://www.cwtraininghub.co.uk/june-newsletter-2025-cwth/
