Enabling the rapid launch of Extended Access Services in Northampton

Northampton GP Alliance (GPA) is a GP Federation that facilitates and supports its 21 practices to work together for the good of over 210,000 patients.

In late 2018, GPA was awarded the contract to deliver a GP Extended Access Service. The aim was to make it easier for patients to get an appointment at a time that suits them, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

With just 15 days to launch the service, GPA faced a number of challenges. With staffing shortages across the primary care sector, filling even more shifts at times normally considered out-of-hours was a high priority. In addition, they needed to be able to swiftly communicate with staff from a range of practices about the new opportunities and make it easy for them to sign up to work on the service.

Smart e-rostering and a digital workforce bank powered by Lantum

Northampton GPA and Lantum have worked together to develop a digital solution that enables GPA to offer GP Extended Access until 9pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm at weekends.

• Smart e-rostering
  GPA can build rotas and advertise opportunities seamlessly online. Meanwhile, the mobile app allows workers to manage their diaries, shifts and documents on the go.
  
  
• A multidisciplinary digital staff bank
  GPA now has a bank of both salaried and locum staff, across a number of disciplines, enabling higher session fill rates without the need for agencies.
  
  
• Priority access and instant booking functionality
  GPA can customise their staff relationships through functionality which allows staff to instantly book onto specific sessions or gives certain staff priority access.
  
  
• A digital passport for staff
  Staff members in the digital bank provide all necessary documentation to support compliance, making it easier for them to work across multiple sites.
  
  
• Streamlined administration
  E-pension, e-invoicing, and calendar management have reduced time spent on administrative tasks.

"Lantum has enabled us to mobilise a new service in a very limited timeframe and to build our own staff bank. We’re able to do everything through the platform, from publishing sessions to communicating effectively with staff and tracking key compliance documentation. It’s changing the way we work in Northampton and empowering our staff to work in new ways."

Dan Kane, Northampton GP Alliance

The results

• 15 days was all it took to launch the Extended Access Service
• 97% fill rate for sessions
• 2,197 additional appointments offered
• 99% positive feedback from patients

"Lantum has been essential for the efficient, robust and safe mobilisation of our Extended Access Service, as well as the recruitment and organisation of the professionals working in it. Professionals using the platform have commented on how quick and easy it is to book and organise shifts, communicate, and generate and track invoices. These benefits made a significant difference to us gaining access to much-needed staff, helping us meet the increasing demands for greater access to healthcare."

Dr Sanjay Pawar, GP Lead (GP Extended Access Service)