Two projects shortlisted | News and events

A drive to increase MMR vaccinations and project to help those who use A&E most frequently have both been shortlisted for the national General Practice Awards .  

The General Practice Awards are a national celebration for those working in primary care and general practice to highlight the innovation, dedication and passion of teams and individuals working across the UK. This year there were over 300 entries received, and two local projects were shortlisted:  

• Thistlemoor Medical Centre – Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination Drive Strategy - Clinical Improvement – Public Health and Prevention Award.  
  NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough supported the development and delivery of the Thistlemoor MMR Vaccination Drive Strategy, initially identifying Thistlemoor as an outlier due to having the lowest MMR uptake across the area . As a result of the project, MMR vaccine uptake increased from 55% to 68%.  

• Central Thistlemoor and Thorpe, Population Health Management work - PCN of the Year Award . Central, Thistlemoor and Thorpe PCN were accepted to take part in the Cambridge and Peterborough Population Health Management (PHM) Development Programme, a 22-week nationally funded programme by NHS England, led by NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough in partnership with Optum. The y aimed to help people who used GP services more than ten times a year and emergency department services more than five times a year, by supporting them with a range of measures which included longer appointments, health coaching , and social prescribing to help with social, financial, housing, and employment-related issues.  

C ali M akewell , Integrated Vaccination Service Programme Lead, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough IC B : “We were delighted to support Thistlemoor Medical Centre as they worked to protect the communities they serve by significantly increasing MMR vaccine uptake amongst their patients. The practice tackled their relatively low uptake rates head-on, through a range of initiatives including additional walk-in clinics, direct invitations, and social media activity in a number of community languages. We're proud to have formed a part of this true partnership effort.”  

Dr Neil Modha, GP at Thistlemoor Medical Centre, said: “ W e are delighted to be shortlisted for th ese national award s . We hope projects like this shine a light on the importance of listening to people and supporting them in ways that make a true difference for them. Our GP trainees learnt a lot about the wider determinants of health and how these issues affect how people present to NHS services. We are grateful to our wider system partners in the council and voluntary sector as this programme could not have happened without their commitment and expertise."  

The General Practice Awards are judged by a line-up of experts from across primary care in the UK with the winners being announced at the a wards c eremony in London on Friday 6 December.   

More information can be found here – General Practice Awards | Shortlist (cogora.com) and General Practice Awards 2024 Shortlist is announced - Cogora