PRIMARY CARE SUPPORT SERVICE

Intention for this presentation Provide information about the PCSS, what it can provide and where it has reached in terms of its own development Clarify what the PCSS does NOT provide Emphasise the importance of the preventive educational component

A service for GPs, dentists & community pharmacists

Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government Seen to be run as an independent service Led from the University of Wales, Bangor with coordinators in each of the 3 regions

1. Counselling 2. Support 3. Education 4. Information

1. COUNSELLING Confidential counselling service Direct access to suitably qualified counsellors Contactable on private numbers Generally consult on private premises

Who pays for the counselling? The PCSS pays for the first 3 counselling sessions The client pays for subsequent sessions Counsellors send their invoice to the PCSS along with the evaluation forms

EVALUATION 1. Subjective - counsellor - client 2. Objective - self-efficacy - GHQ12 - WHO well-being

1. Counselling 2. Support 3. Education 4. Information

2.SUPPORT Support for practice or organisational issues - Peer support professionals - Direct access by telephone - No charge Support for those undergoing investigation of complaints * Support for those with addiction problems (Pilot in North Wales) *

1. Counselling 2. Support 3. Education 4. Information

3. EDUCATION AIM :- To promote the health and well-being of GPs, dentists and community pharmacists working in Wales

Mixture of tried and tested programmes & those developed as a result of needs assessment Range from basic core 3 hr session to 8wk programme (2 hrs/wk) to distance-based courses (1.5days x 3 over 8wks) Individual professional groups and multidisciplinary

Examples of what is on offer Basic 3hr session for half-day of protected practice learning time Learning to improve skills at managing stress and promoting health and well-being for individual staff members and for the primary care team as a whole. Evidence-based mindfulness programme for managing work-life balance

1. Counselling 2. Support 3. Education 4. Information

4. INFORMATION / RESOURCES General Other services for different professional groups which complement the PCSS

How is the service organised? Director & North Wales coordinator Administrator Development and education consultant Regional basis run by coordinators All staff part-time

Official launch Official launch took place in BANGOR on 22nd March at UWBangor Video presentation by Dr Gibbons Official personal visit to the service in Bangor in May 2006

Public Health Doctors Used to be able to access the North Wales Doctor Support Service