Peterborough project | News and events

A project helping people who use A&E most frequently at a GP practice in Peterborough triumphed at the national NHS Parliamentary Awards in Westminster on Monday (14 October 2024), jointly winning The Health Equalities Award.

Thistlemoor Medical Centre in Peterborough partnered with Peterborough Voluntary Services and Peterborough City Council taking a pioneering approach to changing care for some of the most challenged and deprived members of the population. They identified a group of over 250 patients who used GP services more than ten times a year and emergency department services more than five times a year to help improve their health and wellbeing. The people involved dd not have a long-term condition, cancer or defined medical problems, so the team listened to them, find out what’s going on in their lives.

Dr Neil Modha, GP at Thistlemoor Medical Centre, said: “I’m over the moon that our project helping some of the most disadvantaged patients at our GP practice has been recognised at these national awards! This project involved so many dedicated colleagues and partners who care passionately about improving the health and wellbeing of our local community. Our key was don’t presume, don’t assume, seek to understand and then provide support to the areas that matter the most to local people. We could then observe as their satisfaction, health and wellbeing improved leading to a decrease in how often they needed to see a GP or go to A&E.”

John Rooke, Managing Director at North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Care Partnership, part of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS) said: “A fabulous award for the Thistlemoor team! Witnessing the Thistlemoor team, working with and through its partners, to deliver personalised care plans for local people is compelling. I’m delighted that this has been recognised nationally and sets such a positive endorsement of the programme of proactive personalised care planning we have across North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, NHS leaders and dozens of MPs were all in attendance to recognise the many staff who make the NHS what it is today.

To see the full list of winners from the NHS Parliamentary Awards visit  2024 Winners - NHS Parliamentary Awards