Peterborough doctor surgery partnership shortlisted for top award

The Central and Thistlemoor Primary Care Network (PCN) has been shortlisted for ‘Primary Care Innovation of the Year’ at the 2020 HSJ Awards, recognising outstanding contribution to healthcare.

The “Health, Wellbeing and Community Champions in inner-city Peterborough” project has been selected based on their ambition, visionary spirit and the demonstrable positive impact that the project has had on patient and staff experiences within the health and social care sector. 

The practices, both located in an inner-city environment, have come together to develop a team of health and wellbeing coaches for long term condition management and health checks to empower patients to have a greater quality of life.

The Practices look after some of the most deprived and challenged populations in Peterborough, which also has high incidences of smoking and alcohol consumption. Many work in zero-hour contracts, with low levels of financial support, and therefore prioritise their work over their health.

Practice doctors have been engaging with local Mosques and other religious centres to provide important education about issues like smoking and the importance of cervical and bowel screening.

Drs Neil Modha and Toseef Sethi Co-clinical Directors said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Primary Care Innovation award, which recognises the collaborative efforts and dedication of our staff members over the last 12 months to successfully implement Health and Wellbeing coaches and to reach out to the community with our Champions.

"We are committed to delivering better health outcomes and wellbeing for our patients, and to be chosen among the other incredible nominees is a wonderful achievement.  This nomination has been a tremendous boost to staff at Central Medical Centre and Thistlemoor Medical Centre and I am sure it will bolster our continued efforts to improve our services and work more closely with other services.”

Now in its 40th year, the HSJ Awards is the largest annual benchmarking and recognition programme for healthcare. Through a rigorous, fair and transparent judging process the awards produce a roll call of the best organisations, teams and people in the NHS and the wider health sector.

Winners will be selected ahead of the ceremony, which will take place virtually in March 2021.