Catherine Orr
Receptionist
Minchinhampton Surgery
The Challenge
Following a targeted case finding exercise within the Practice in November 2023, Catherine identified 170 patients who had not had a diabetic review for over a year.
In order to meet National QOF deadline, Catherine was required to arrange appointments for these patients to be seen by the end of March 2024.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there were approximately 537 million adults (20-79 years old) living with diabetes worldwide in 2021.
The Innovation
To enhance efficiency, the team implemented a system where patients are reviewed based on their birth month, ensuring regular reviews every 3-6 months. Catherine proactively contacted patients through phone and letters to schedule overdue reviews.
She also created informative leaflets and fridge information sheets promoting healthy habits. Future plans include using text nudges for appointment reminders and establishing an educational drop-in service to support diabetic patients once new premises are available.
The Impact
- Patient pathway developed to minimise surgery visits and improved QOF scores
- Increased patient engagement in diabetes management and a reduction in GP appointments
- Peer support program established for staff
