Abstract
Primary Care Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT) commenced in Newry & District GP Federations in 2020. The First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) Practitioner service provides new musculoskeletal expertise in GP practices with a focus on prevention, early intervention and working with partners through a Population Health Lens to deliver early, accessible, coordinated and personalised care. It was evident from the start of MDT implementation that health literacy and compliance with recommended Physical activity levels was a priority area for the FCP service to develop. Only 36% of the patient population surveyed met Chief Medical Officer Physical Activity recommended levels. Patient involvement reported a need for Physical activity knowledge, professional support, digital tools and access to a central point of reliable local information on Physical activity opportunities. The team also highlighted the need for community development involvement in shaping opportunities for Patients who needed support to become more physically active.
The FCP staff provided training in Physical activity to both GP practice staff and to the MDT practitioners to promote a cohesive approach to improve opportunities for Physical Activity interventions across the MDT service provision. Using a co-production approach with Patient representatives, MDT Leads, Trust Community Development Teams and community organisations a plan and pilot event was developed as ""Be Connected"" in Annalong, Kilkeel and Mournes in Co Down.
In a post Covid environment there was an essential need to connect Patients and service users with the range of services and community organisations that could provide support not only for Physical Activity but to all aspects of self-care and wellbeing that was locally accessible. Over 40 agencies who offer services attended the event in a Community Hall providing opportunities to share details of services as well as networking opportunities. Feedback was very positive regarding the opportunities to improve health and community connections.
The FCP team developed a webpage with digital resources, tools for Patients targeted to their local needs. It is accessible to all Patients, service users and GP Practices through the Southern Federation Support Unit's website. The page provides digital information for self-care before and after any contact with GP practices. It also can be updated to provide current Physical activity opportunities in the local area.
Seed funding was used to partner with the Clanrye Group to develop Physical Activities in a program "Be Connected for Health". This provided free physical activity classes in Annalong and Banbridge led by GP referral qualified coaches utilising a community development approach. Quality assurance was provided in the evaluation with an 80% retention rate and 40% reported improvement in fitness, flexibility and 80% in general wellbeing. Patient's reported the importance of local accessibility to physical activity, improvement in their confidence to continue with lifestyle changes however finance was a barrier to sustainability in the current economic climate.
Throughout this partnership approach a continuous quality improvement approach has been essential. A further program has been funded to address health inequalities providing Physical Activities “Time for me" as part of the "Social Supermarket" project in Newry and Cullyhanna.