LOGIC September 2017 Vol 16 No 3 | Page 27

teams have understood the need to work differently. Developed local networks and alliances have helped manage health care demand, and the The sharing of skills between the community teams and general practice has supported the management of more care in general practice. An example of this development is the care of complex wounds, which with the support of education sessions, joint clinics, and easily accessible advice, will remain with the Practice Nurse or General Practitioner. Other less tangible outcomes of community service integrating with general practice have included improving relationships and trust. This outcome is exampled by a quote from a general practioner- September 2017 L.O.G.I.C “MDTs are worth their weight in gold”, and from a community nurse- “I have learnt so much about how general practice teams function, and I think they understand and trust me more too”. In addition, the MDT meetings have been attended by patients and other services’ personnel, such as long term community support services. With use of technology, it is hoped that remote attendance will be utilised in the future, enabling both patients and extended team members to contribute. Throughout the “Health Care Home” integration project, benefits for patients have been demonstrated. Communication to and about patients has increased with more a proactive approach to keeping the most complex people well, and avoid unnecessary hospitalisations. The future challenge to integration is to continue the expansion of the “Health Care Home” model to the remaining general practices in the region, and to continue the integration of community health and other services to those practices. With these recent and rapid integration improvements, other services are also keen to become closer to General Practice and their communities, 25