Communities as an asset: PCN Network conference session summary
Catch up on the talking points at this PCN Network virtual conference session.
Chair and panellists
- Chris McEwan, Mayor, Darlington; Lay member, Darlington PCN
- Dr Amanda Riley, Clinical Director Reference Group member, PCN Network; Clinical Director, Darlington PCN
- Helen Kilminster, Clinical Director Board member, PCN Network; Clinical Director, People’s Health Partnership
- Dr Rupa Joshi, Clinical Director Board member, PCN Network board, Clinical Director, Wokingham North PCN
Key points
Prioritise action
Engage with communities through doing not just talking. Use your local community and community leaders to help you engage and to help spread messages. Use social media as a tool and outsource this if necessary.
Understand and challenge the data
It can be a useful starting point, but it may not be complete or give you the full picture. Think about what it doesn’t tell you as well as what it does. Can you fill in the gaps? Who might hold the data you are missing?
Seek tangible outcomes that are meaningful to the community
Language is so important and can make someone feel on the outside. Communities and PCNs need to recognise and celebrate differences within their communities. Ask ourselves ‘why’ are we doing this.
Ensure teams have proper effective supervision and development
This is important to all members of the team, including the social prescribers and link workers. We need resilience in our structures as well as in our people. Team members need a safe space to offload, share, refer on and develop themselves professionally.
Key quotes
"It’s about people, not communities or organisations."
"It’s about relationships."
"Unlock our empathy, prepare to be vulnerable."
Question for consideration
- How do we create the time and skills to find and engage our communities and to engage and support colleagues?
