New health teams will provide better service

New health teams will provide better service

24 April 2024

THE delivery of health care to patients across the South Eastern Trust area is being transformed as a result of the work of multi-disciplinary teams.

The teams play a pivotal role in shaping patient care within the primary care sector with one based at the Dundrum and Clough surgery, with local woman describing the service the team provides as “life changing”.

Ciara Caudrey said the local team provides a more holistic approach to the delivery of care and it is integrated as part of your life.

She said it is comforting to know the “incredible service” is there with the work of multi-disciplinary team praised recently at a conference at La Mon House Hotel attended by Stormont health minister Robin Swann who heard at first hand the work of the team at the local surgery and right across the South Eastern Trust area.

In essence, the team is the integration of various healthcare professionals, including first contact physiotherapists, social workers and mental health practitioners who work alongside existing GP practice teams. 

The collaboration facilitates enhanced access to health and social care services within GP practices, providing a seamless and comprehensive approach to patient care.

In addition, the teams include health visitors and district nurses, allowing these professionals to dedicate more time to individual patient care.

Patients registered with multi-disciplinary teams at GP practices benefit from direct access to a range of services, enabling them to book appointments without the need for a consultation with their doctor.

Teams within primary care allow practices to focus not just on managing ill-health, but also on the physical, mental and social wellbeing of communities. 

There is an increased focus on prevention and early intervention initiatives ensuring the needs of patients are met at the earliest possible opportunity, reducing the need for onward referrals into hospital and community services.

At the La Mon conference, Dundrum and Clough Surgery GP Dr Alex Greer, who is also chairman of the Down GP Federation and General Practitioners, explained how MDT’s are transforming health and social care.

“The integration of MDTs in general practice have had a profound impact on patient care,” he explained.

“In the traditional model of healthcare delivery, an individual GP often bore the weight of diagnosing, treating and managing patient’s health concerns.

“The era of MDTs in general practice has brought a shift that has redefined the way we approach healthcare delivery and one of the most significant benefits of MDTs is their ability to provide comprehensive and holistic care.”

Dr Greer said each team member brings a unique set of skills, knowledge, and perspectives to the table, allowing more understanding of patients’ health concerns. 

“This holistic approach enables teams to not only treat acute illnesses, but to address underlying social, psychological, and behavioural factors that may impact patients’ wellbeing,” he continued.

“As we navigate through evolving healthcare landscapes and confront new challenges, our commitment to the further expansion of MDT across Northern Ireland remains unwavering.”

Dr Greer added: “By fostering an environment of trust, respect and open communication, we can continue to innovate, adapt and excel in delivering patient-centred care.”

The health minister said he believed that the MDT Programme and the close collaboration between health trusts and GP Federations that underpins it, remains the key to stabilising vital primary care services in communities, to ensure they can continue to provide high quality care to people, now and into the future. 

He said the programme is providing more care closer to people’s homes and improving access to early support and diagnosis.

“Through the rollout of MDTs, we are beginning to move from a system focused only on treating illness to a system that provides holistic and proactive support to help practice populations maintain good physical and mental health and social wellbeing,” he added.

The South Eastern Trust’s, Director of Primary Care and Older People, Clare-Marie Dickson, said the La Mon conference outlined the organisation’s commitment to revolutionising how health and social acre is delivered in primary care within the South Eastern Trust. 

“By prioritising person-centred care and collaborating among healthcare professionals, MDT’s are at the forefront of transforming primary care for the better,” she said.

“By harnessing the expertise of healthcare professionals, we can enhance accessibility and improve outcomes for our patients. The introduction of MDTs represent a pivotal step forward to a more integrated approach in primary care.”