1. PRIMARY CARE SUPPORT SERVICE

2. 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

3. A service for GPs, dentists & community pharmacists

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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) *

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

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

18. 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

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