A CREDITON doctor has been recognised in the first-ever South West Primary Care Innovation Awards.

Dr Jo Harris from the New Valley Practice in Crediton and Silverton and of Mid Devon Healthcare was among 10 winners announced by NHS England.

Dr Harris won the GP Forward View Clinical Champion, and was nominated by peers for articulating a local vision of how the GPFV will deliver sustainable primary care in their area.

She was presented with the award at a ceremony held in Exeter on Friday, October 14.

NHS England said that during the past two years, Dr Harris has made several notable achievements including leading the merger of two practices to secure primary care services in Crediton and Exe Valley, successfully bid to the South West Primary Care Development Fund, acquiring premises to house a same day service and played a key role in developing the Mid Devon Healthcare federation of practices.

The judges’ comments were: “Much can be achieved when GP’s get involved and are open to suggestions. New Valley and other local practices are extremely fortunate to have her ability to think in and outside the box and ‘can do’ attitude shown.

“To be able to inspire, lead, and achieve so much in the face of the major challenges in primary care is remarkable. Not only did Jo achieve this but she continues to look forwards to new opportunities and ways of working.”

Dr Harris was presented with the award by Dr Arvind Madan, NHS England’s Director of Primary Care.

On receiving the award, Dr Harris said: "I am delighted to win the award of GP Forward View Clinical Champion in the South West.

“It was a complete surprise and I am grateful to my colleagues in Mid Devon Healthcare for nominating me.

“It has been an incredible year finding and working with so many like-minded enthusiasts for change who are willing to explore collaborative and innovative ways of working.

“Winning the award has inspired me to build on the work I have done over the past year in order to create a sustainable, more efficient healthcare system with the prevention agenda as a driving force.

“I will now be working with my fellow Mid Devon Healthcare board members to develop proposals as to how to use the prize money to gather ideas and inspiration from other projects across the country for the benefit of our diverse population."

All 10 winners were singled out for their progressive work to improve care and introduce new ways of working, in line with NHS England’s national blueprint, the General Practice Forward View (GPFV). The winners were judged by a panel of primary care colleagues and other medical professionals. 

The GPFV sets out a plan, backed by a multi-billion pound investment, to stabilise and transform general practice at a time of rising workload and financial pressures.

Mark Cooke, Director of Commissioning Operations for NHS England in the South West, said: “We’ve got some of the best primary care in the country, but even so we recognise that it’s not easy running a surgery. These awards are all about recognising the fantastic things that are being done across the South West to improve care for patients, whether behind the scenes or in the consulting room.”

Speaking at the awards, Dr Arvind Madan, NHS England’s Director of Primary Care, commented: “These awards have been a fantastic showcase on how the GPFV is being put into action in the South West. Great to spend such a positive morning with a room full of can do people.”

Alan Quick