The Primary Care
Improvement Plan

The Primary Care Improvement Plan is the roadmap for the provision of the 2018 GMS contract. This is a “live” and evolving document outlining the local intentions and direction of travel to arrive at the endpoint of successful contract delivery. The plan summarises the collective wisdom and collaborative efforts of the tri-partite contributors within the PCIP Executive Committee. The committee continually reviews and debates the substance of the plan and how best to deliver each of the work streams in the Borders. The plan is submitted to the Scottish Government at regular intervals as evidence of our progress towards the end goal.

BORDERS PCIP

The GMS Contract

The GMS Contract 2018 acknowledged the key role of the GP as an expert medical generalist working within and leading a multi-disciplinary team. It introduced GP cluster working to support groups of GP practices to work together to shape local healthcare delivery for the benefit of their local communities. The contract promised reduced financial risk for GP partners and a greater sustainability of practices. It also pledged new arrangements for premises, GP information technology and information sharing to deliver a service fit for the future.

Members of the Executive Committee are made up from: 

  • 4 GP representatives from the GP Sub committee (GPs of the LMC Executive Committee)
  • Chief Officer of the Health and Social Care Partnership
  • Executive Lead for Primary Care
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Associate Director for Nursing (Primary and Community Services)
  • Associate Director for Allied Health Professionals
  • General Manager, Primary and Community Services
  • General Manager for Mental Health Services
  • Finance Business Partner, Primary and Community Services
  • Associate Medical Director, Primary and Community Services
  • PCIP Project Manager

GP Lead: Dr Kevin Buchan

Community clinical mental health professionals, based in general practice, will work with individuals and families assessing their mental health needs, providing support for conditions such as low mood, anxiety and depression.

GP Lead: Dr Rachel Mollart

Vaccinations would progressively move away from a model based on GP delivery to one based on NHS Board delivery through dedicated teams.

GP Lead: Dr Kirsty Robinson

This work stream is a local variation to provide
– informative handbooks for practices, work stream leads and PCIP employees
– advice and information about PCIP to a wide range of colleagues.

GP Lead: Dr Rachel Mollart

From 2018, there will be a three year trajectory to establish a sustainable pharmacotherapy service which includes pharmacist and pharmacy technician support to the patients of every practice.

GP Lead: Dr Kevin Buchan

Scottish Government and SGPC recognise and support a long-term shift that gradually moves towards a model which does not presume GPs own their own premises. This will be through the establishment of a GP Premises Sustainability Fund.

GP Lead: Dr Kirsty Robinson

(Additional Professional Services – physiotherapy services focused on musculoskeletal conditions)
“Under the new contract, HSCPs (Health and Social Care Partnership) will develop model to embed a musculoskeletal service within practice teams to support practice workload”

GP Lead: Dr Kevin Buchan

Another area of GP workload that needs to be addressed is urgent unscheduled care including the provision of advanced practitioner resource as first response for home visits.

GP Lead: Dr Kirsty Robinson

Community treatment and care services include many non-GP services that patients may need, including (but not limited to)

• Phlebotomy
• Ear syringing
• Suture removal

• Chronic disease monitoring and related data collection
• Management of minor injuries

GP Lead: Dr Rachel Mollart

A Community Link Worker (CLW) is a non-clinical practitioner based in or aligned to a GP practice or cluster who works directly with patients to help them navigate and engage with wider services. The role of CLWs will be consistent with assessed local need and priorities and function as part of the local models of care and support