18 | Nursing in Practice | Spring 2022
Getting the groups up and running Ms Bradley acknowledges that she was far from a digital expert before starting the sessions and looked to family for advice and support on using remote technology . She reached out to colleagues in the practice while the sessions were being planned , securing their agreement to get the project under way .
She also was able to involve a small group of second-year nursing students , who ’ d had some placements cancelled due to Covid . The opportunity to provide services remotely was ideal , especially as some of them needed to shield . Ms Bradley says involving three students gave them the chance ‘ to see first-hand how primary care can adapt during difficult and unexpected circumstances ’.
The video group clinic sessions were offered first to cancer patients , then to others living with long-term conditions . Each session includes six to eight patients , with one or two groups run each week . The session begins with discussion on a useful topic , and then Ms Bradley speaks with each of the attendees , who are invited to share their thoughts and experiences .
‘ Groups have been run with newly diagnosed asthma patients , new mums and patients with cancer . They can come for just the one session , or can come back if they wish . Some return in an ‘ expert patient ’ role , offering useful advice based on their experience ,’ she says .
How the sessions are structured The group is intended to be interactive . Attendees each have a turn to speak if they wish , and can put comments or questions in the on-screen chat window as well . They can share their experiences and perspectives , and sometimes exchange advice between themselves .
Ms Bradley feels the approach was well matched to the challenges patients were feeling during the lockdowns . She says : ‘ The peer-group setting enabled patients to talk with , and learn from , others at different stages of the same journey . There was a sense of ‘ belonging ’; participants made friends and established their own support networks . Despite the stresses of the pandemic , there were smiles , laughs and fun .
‘ Feelings of isolation were greatly reduced , particularly when regular sessions were introduced . Additionally , there were opportunities to address anxieties before they could escalate into fears , and feelings of self-worth were much enhanced .’
People are invited to participate in chats while on video but aren ’ t obliged to do so , Ms Bradley says . ‘ If somebody is being quiet then I just check they are alright : are they just listening ? Do they want to join in ? It can be tricky . In real life if someone in front of you was a little bit subdued , you would pick up on it straight away , wouldn ’ t you ? But some people are happy just listening .’
I ’ ve talked on Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Lancashire , and been invited to speak at a conference
They often have a lot to learn from each other , as well as from Ms Bradley ’ s advice . She gives an example of how people involved in the groups were able to support one another . ‘ We had a farmer in his 70s join us for a diabetes session . He was experiencing hypos while he was out on his tractor , and he didn ’ t want to go back home during the working day to do his blood sugars . So , somebody else in the group was just discussing how helpful her Freestyle Libre system is , and she thought he might benefit from that too , because you have more control when you are out and about . He later fed back that he got one , and that it was the best thing in his life . That might not have happened otherwise .’
‘ Never in a million years ’ The project has propelled Ms Bradley to become something of a local leader : an unexpected outcome , she says . Since starting the scheme , she has been invited to address local meetings , speak on the radio and take part in a webinar . Now she has won a national award . ‘ I would never in a million years have thought that I could do all of this ,’ she says .
Trying something new has helped develop her professional capabilities , she feels . ‘ I ’ ve talked on Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Lancashire , and they ’ ve circulated that all across our ICS in West Lancashire and Sefton , which has been brilliant . I ’ ve been invited to speak at a workshop , and at a conference in Leeds .
‘ I never would have thought I was a leader , but I ’ ve been putting my head up and talking to people about the project . It develops you in a different way and it ’ s given me a real sense of leadership .’
She is now involved in supporting others to run remote video sessions in other practices , and takes part in a WhatsApp group for others interested in delivering healthcare through this approach .
The future for the project Group video sessions will continue to have an important role for the practice in the future , says Ms Bradley . ‘ The plan is to carry on . We can address things like the long Covid DES and things like that , that might otherwise be difficult to achieve .’
She will also continue to spread the word about the model , for anyone else who is interested . It helps improve access for patients , among other benefits .
She says : ‘ I definitely would recommend this to other practices . It gives patients an extra choice – a different way of seeing you . It ’ s more efficient for people who don ’ t have the time to come into the practice , and particularly suits people who may still be anxious about being out . ‘ It ’ s helped the workload . I would have to say that a lot of good has come out of it for me and hopefully for our patients as well .’
Since 2008 , The General Practice Awards has sought to recognise the very best within the healthcare industry , seeking out the incredible work being carried out daily by our NHS heroes . This is now more poignant than ever . We know it has been challenging to strive for greatness , but equally challenging to operate business as usual with Covid-19 presenting so many difficulties to the healthcare community . Organised and supported by the team behind Nursing in Practice , Pulse , Management in Practice , Healthcare Leader and The Pharmacist , the General Practice Awards reaches thousands of healthcare professionals . Nominations will open later in the Spring – if you think your team , your colleagues or yourself deserve recognition amongst your peers , make sure you take part this year !