The work of a Primary Care Network (PCN) and GP practices in Mansfield is reducing health inequalities.

Dr Kathy McLean, chair of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, visited Rosewood Primary Care Network to hear about its pioneering initiatives with vulnerable patients — and some of the challenges local GP practices are facing.

The network covers five practices in the town centre and the south of Mansfield.

It has worked with practices on interventions with hard-to-reach groups in the area, including learning disability patients, housebound and care home patients, and severe multiple disadvantaged patients.

Kathy said; “It’s vital that health leaders, like me, spend as much time as possible speaking with the people who care for our patients, day-in, day-out, hearing about the challenges they face and the successes they have.

“Rosewood PCN and its practices are doing some great work to tackle health inequalities, working proactively with different groups of vulnerable patients who they have identified as having difficulties accessing good healthcare.

“Their work is a great example of how resources can be pulled together across health and social care to achieve excellent outcomes for patients.”

Pictured (top) at the visit to Rosewood Primary Care Network (PCN) in Mansfield are, from left, Leanne Monger, deputy Mid-Notts place partnership director; Dr Milind Tadpatrikar, clinical lead, Rosewood PCN; Sharon Atherton, digital and transformation lead, Rosewood PCN; Andrea Lucken, of Rosewood PCN; Dr Kathy McLean, chair NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board; and Claire O’Mara, primary care senior transformation manager, NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB.