Reflecting on Recruitment

In the previous year’s report, we acknowledged the challenges we faced in our recruitment efforts, which, at the time, had not yielded the desired outcomes. This year, we are pleased to report significant progress in this area. We have successfully welcomed two new GPs to our team, one of whom has taken on the pivotal role of Lead GP.

Transition in Leadership

April 2023 marked the departure of Dr Catherine Maytum, a significant event for our practice given Dr Maytum’s 14-year tenure as Lead GP. The transition heralded a period of adjustment for our team.

New Appointments

In July, we had the good fortune to appoint an exceptional new Lead GP, Dr Rachael Hardaker. Rachael has embraced the responsibilities of the role with great confidence, guiding the practice through a period of positive change. Additionally, Dr Rhiannon Turney has joined us as a salaried GP, bringing a particular interest in addressing health inequalities. Rhiannon’s expertise has been instrumental in enhancing our support for a growing cohort of asylum seekers, through outreach clinics alongside our dedicated nursing team.

Nursing Team Developments

Our nursing staff has been strengthened by the return of Amanda Murray, who previously served as Lead Nurse for a decade. Amanda’s re-joining follows the retirement of Lead Nurse Jackie Wenden, whose contributions have been invaluable. We are grateful that Jackie continues to impart her expertise as a Practice Nurse within our team.

Facilities and Collaboration

Alongside our recruitment successes, we have initiated collaborations with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and OneCare, addressing the limitations of our current premises. The constraints of our facility impact our ability to expand services, accommodate our growing patient list, and fully utilise ARRS funding for further staff recruitment. With the support of the ICB, we are actively seeking solutions, especially considering anticipated residential development in the vicinity. We await further developments regarding the Galleries site and its potential implications for our practice.

Moving Forward

As we progress, we remain committed to enhancing our services and facilities, ensuring we continue to meet the needs of our community effectively.