Practice Visits

1
Practice Visits

• Jim Barlow, South Staffordshire PCT
• Elaine Maggs, Department of Health

2
Structure of Session

• Presentation 10 minutes
• Group Work 20 minutes
• Feedback 10 minutes

3
Overview Context

• PCTs at risk from
• Underperformance on UDAs PCT does not deliver
  planning assumption and risk for PCR
• Changes in activity patterns leading to PCR risk
• Clinical quality within and without UDA PCR
  issues
• Service pressures e.g. increased referrals to
  acute sector
• Public dissatisfaction e.g. access problems,
  negative patient experience
• Complex issues to unpick different things
  happening in different contracts, multiple issues
  in same contracts
• Important to know your dentists cant be done
  from your desk PCT Practice Visits are one
  mechanism for addressing issues
• Looking at generic visit programme - not just
  mid-year reviews

4
PCT Practice Visits

• Potential Benefits
• Opportunity for PCT to better understand
  providers and performers
• Identify and challenge misconceptions
• Raise awareness among providers and performers of
  local engagement and PCT concerns
• Address both quality and probity issues - not
  just a probity exercise or form of punishment
• Directly access information at the practice
  record cards, appointment diaries, receipts,
  posters leaflets, admin staff, performers

5
PCT Practice Visits

• Potential Downfalls
• Resource intensive need to prioritise workload
  and use PCT BSA-DPD resources appropriately
• Lack of local experience with handling dental
  issues in detail
• Potential need for local clinical input may
  need to buy this in
• Opportunity for confrontation with providers and
  performers

6
Pilot proposal to develop PCT practice visits

• Part of PCC monitoring toolkit
• South Staffordshire PCT and volunteer practices
  working with PCC and NHS Dentistry Support Team
• Pilot to cover
• Pre-visit letter, gaining access
• Pre-visit self assessment report by provider
• Visit process
• How to undertake clinical record checks and work
  with DRS
• Following up issues raised
• Feedback from providers

7
Toolkit Extract
8
Group Work

• What areas do you think should be covered in a
  self- assessment toolkit that dentists/PCTs will
  use as part of their practice visit programme?