Group Clinics at Orchard End Practice

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Group Clinics

We now see and review many of our patient in group clinics. This is a well-established way of working, supported by a strong evidence base. Group clinics are especially helpful for those who live with a long-term condition e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure or who live with persistent symptoms e.g. Menopause; Long COVID.

There is a good chance that you will be offered a group clinic appointment if you need a review for the following conditions:

• High blood pressure

If you are a carer, we may also offer you a group check-in appointment.

We want you to attend so you can experience first-hand the benefits of group clinics

If you are a carer, you can come along with your loved one to their group clinic.

Face to face work well if you are more flexible in terms of time or feel a bit worried about using technology.

Hear peoples’ experiences of group clinics:

1. Video 1
2. Video 2
3. Video 3
4. Video 4 

Hear clinicians explain how group clinics work.

Please read our group clinic agreement below.

Orchard End Group Consultation Agreement

By participating in the face to face hypertension group clinic, I agree that:

1. I am happy to share relevant information about my health condition. For example, this might include my blood pressure or cholesterol levels. These results appear on a “results board” which supports group discussion and my learning
2. I am happy to have a one-to-one discussion with the clinic team about my concerns. I understand other members of the group listen, and in turn I listen to their one-to-one discussions so that we can all benefit from hearing and understanding our common problems and finding solutions
3. I am under no obligation to share any other personal information with the group unless I choose to do so and that if I have health concerns, I don’t want to discuss in the group setting, I may ask to discuss them privately in a 1:1 consultation
4. At any time, I can withdraw my consent to participate in the video group clinic and book a 1:1 consultation
5. All information I learn about group members is confidential. I agree that I will not record nor share any information about other members of the group in conversations outside the group verbally or on social media such as Facebook, Twitter etc or in any other public forum
6. If I am more than 5 minutes late, I will not be able to join the session and will need to book on to another session. 

If, after reading this agreement, you no longer wish to attend the add name clinic, please contact us so that we can allocate your place and help another person keep well and improve their health.

If you have further questions, please watch video of patient experience (https://youtu.be/GDOBY_05Jjk,) read our frequently asked questions (provide link to your adapted version of Patient FAQ template), visit our website (provide link to your group clinic webpage) or ask our co-ordinator (Paula Francis) to explain more before the session (paula.francis@nhs.net).

Please complete our group clinic survey here.

Learn more about how group clinics work:

• Before attending your first group clinic, you will want to understand what will happen. 
• You will receive a copy of a group clinic agreement in advance that explains this in detail. At the start of your group clinic, you consent to participate. This animation explains the consent process.

Face to face group clinics

If you are attending a face-to-face group clinic, watch this video to see how the session will flow.

If you have further questions about face-to-face group clinics, please see the below FAQs.

Face to Face Group Clinics: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Face to Face (F2F) group clinics?

A: Face to Face group clinics is a way for you to spend more time with your specialist, community or practice nurse, your GP or clinical pharmacist to get your planned one-to-one review and answers to your questions. You see the clinician alongside others living with similar health issues. You may also get advice from physiotherapists, dieticians, social prescribing link workers and health coaches in this way. 

You spend longer with the clinic team than you would in a one-to-one appointment. People often find that having more time to ask questions and the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences enhances their understanding. This, in turn, improves their ability to cope and helps them manage their health more effectively. 

Q: What happens at a F2F group clinic?

A: At your F2F group clinic you get the clinical review and the support you get in a one-to-one appointment. There is group discussion about shared concerns and questions. You get answers to all your specific questions. Your F2F group clinic lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. There are usually 8-10 people in the group. 

When you arrive at the group clinic location, the group’s facilitator – a member of the clinic team - greets you. The facilitator’s job is to support the group and make sure the group clinic stays on track. 

They will check you and everyone else is happy to consent to take part and will set the group up, explaining how the group session will flow. Then they will remind everyone in the group to keep what they hear about others confidential and ask everyone to follow some simple group rules or understandings so that everyone gets the most out of the clinic and their time with the clinician. 

Each member of the group introduces themselves. Then you each come up with a question for the clinician who joins the group after about 15 minutes. When the clinician joins, the group discuss and get answers to common questions. There is more time so that you better understand your health issues. Each person has the opportunity to speak one-to-one with the clinician in turn while the rest of the group benefit from listening to the conversation. The facilitator starts to wrap up the clinical session after 45-60 minutes. Then there is a chance to reflect on what you have learnt and what you want to do next to keep well.

Click here for a short video of people talking about group clinics and their experiences: https://youtu.be/GDOBY_05Jjk

Q: Do I consent to participate?

A: Yes, there is a consent process in place, and this helps you and others stay safe and preserves the whole group’s confidentiality. Watch a video explaining the consent process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8eCFkxAwVE 

Q: What’s the benefit of a F2F group clinic?

A: F2F group clinics are very engaging for people with a whole range of health care issues. F2F group clinics are up and running all over the country. They have proved popular. People say that they enjoy hearing about others’ experiences and getting advice from people in a similar situation. They also like having longer with the clinician to talk about their concerns and questions. They enjoy sharing what has worked for them and hearing about others’ successes. They say after the group, they feel less isolated and alone. People find that meeting others F2F is very helpful. People who attend F2F group clinics see their health improving and may end up in hospital less.

Q: Can I still have a one-to-one telephone or F2F appointment with my doctor or nurse?

A: Yes

Q: What happens if I arrive late?

A: Our policy is [our policy for late arrival after 5 mins of scheduled time is offer to reschedule your group consultation appointment]. This is because it is important that everyone is checked in, consents and signs up to the group understandings at the start. It is very disruptive for the group when people arrive late. If you are late, get in touch and we will book you into another F2F group clinic. Contact us to re-book here: [add contact details]

Q: How do I join my F2F group clinic?

A: You turn up 5 minutes before the start time on your invitation and check in at reception in the usual way.

This is how we recommend you prepare for your F2F group clinic:

1. Before the group, read the group clinic agreement In the F2F group clinic, you will be asked to confirm that you are happy to participate on this basis, and that you agree to keep all information that group members share confidential
2. Make sure you will feel comfortable. The F2F group clinic lasts 90 minutes. Make sure you have what you need to be comfortable. You will be able to stand up and move around if you are prone to aches and pains. You can bring any medication or snacks you need and water to drink if that is important to keep you going. 
3. You can bring a family member or carer along if you would like. We understand you might want to bring someone with you for support. For safety and seating purposes, we need to know in advance. Please contact (paula.francis@nhs.net) and let them know who will be attending.

If you have any further questions or concerns about your group clinic appointment, please contact your practice or clinic team.