A quarterly update from our CEO Dan Robinson

This quarterly update touches on many aspects of Shropdoc life, from GP Cooperatives to wellbeing, new websites, and national engagement.

Shropdoc CEO Daniel Robinson wanted to focus on several key areas as we approach the Autumn months: our heritage, our people, collaboration, and our future.

You can download the update in a user-friendly newsletter format here.

Or read on below:

Our Proud Heritage: A GP Cooperative, a legacy of patient focus and an enduring value

Have you ever considered the origin of the word ‘co-operative’ within our Organisation’s name, Shropshire Doctors Cooperative? 

Shropdoc boasts a rich history, having begun as a GP cooperative over 27 years ago. Our GP members continue to be an integral part of our organisation, and we still proudly uphold the ethos of a GP membership organisation today.

I wanted to take the opportunity to explore the origins and enduring value of GP cooperatives, highlighting their benefits for both patients and the wider healthcare system.

The 19th century saw a surge in the cooperative movement, a response to the harsh realities of the Industrial Revolution. Workers, concerned about fairness and access to essential goods and services, banded together to form cooperative ventures. The healthcare sector was not exempt from this movement.

Inspired by the success of the Rochdale Pioneers' cooperative grocery store in 1844, a new form of healthcare delivery emerged – the GP cooperative. Doctors, recognising the need for affordable and accessible healthcare, pooled resources and expertise to establish practices owned and operated by their members, the GPs themselves.

GP members in a cooperative hold a unique position. They are not only caregivers but also influencers and decision-makers. This fosters a strong sense of ownership and accountability, leading to a patient-centric approach. Decisions prioritise the needs of the community, ensuring care is readily available and tailored to the needs of patients.

GP cooperatives offered numerous advantages to the community they served. Continuity of care is a hallmark of this model as patients can develop long-term relationships with their GP, fostering trust and a deeper understanding of their individual needs. Additionally, GP cooperatives are more likely to be located in underserved areas, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare.

The National Health Service (NHS) plays a vital role in England's healthcare system. GP cooperatives operate within the NHS framework, providing a valuable service as primary care providers. The cooperative model aligns well with the NHS's core principles of patient-centred care and accessibility.

The collaborative nature of GP cooperatives fosters innovation. GP members share knowledge and best practices, leading to the development of new and effective ways to deliver care. Furthermore, the cooperative structure encourages financial efficiency. Profits are reinvested back into the Organisation, benefiting patients and staff alike.

Although the number of GP cooperatives in England has decreased over time, their legacy of patient-centred care and community focus remains highly relevant. In an era of increasing healthcare demands, the cooperative model offers a sustainable and efficient approach to primary care delivery. As the NHS navigates the challenges of the future, the experience and values of GP cooperatives can serve as a valuable resource for ensuring accessible and high-quality healthcare for all.

Investing in Our People: A Priority for a Healthy Future

The health and wellbeing of Shropdoc staff are paramount, and we are committed to providing a supportive work environment that prioritises wellbeing. We offer a range of initiatives to this end and are always looking for ways to improve.

In today's fast-paced healthcare environment, it's more important than ever to prioritise the wellbeing of our most valuable asset – our people. A healthy and happy workforce translates into a more productive, engaged, and ultimately successful organisation. That's why Shropdoc is committed to providing a comprehensive range of initiatives to support your physical and mental wellbeing.

Programmes and resources to help our team thrive:

Paycare: Paycare is a not-for-profit health cash plan provider based in Wolverhampton, England. They've been around for over 140 years, focusing on helping individuals and businesses manage everyday healthcare costs.

Shropdoc covers the full cost of the first-tier Paycare plan for all of our employees.

Benefits for our Employees:

For our employees, Paycare offers plans that reimburse them for a variety of healthcare expenses. These plans typically cover costs not fully reimbursed by traditional health insurance, such as:

• Dental and vision care: Check-ups, cleanings, fillings, glasses, and contact lenses

• Therapy: Physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and other alternative therapies 

• Hospital treatment: Cash payments towards the cost of private hospital stays or procedures

• Other expenses: Depending on the specific plan, Paycare may also cover expenses like vaccinations, prescriptions, and maternity care

Blue Light Card Benefits for Healthcare Workers:

For our employees, the Blue Light Card offers a variety of discounts across various categories, potentially saving you money on everyday purchases. Here are some of the key benefits:

Discounts on a wide range of products and services, including:

• Retail: Fashion, electronics, homeware, and more

• Travel and Leisure: Holidays, days out, restaurants, and hotels

• Finance: Insurance, phone contracts, and utilities

• Health and Wellbeing: Gyms, health clubs, and alternative therapies 

• Large Network: Access to discounts from over 15,000 retailers and businesses – both online and on the high street

Shropdoc Shufflers: 

Our walking group is a fantastic way to get some exercise, de-stress, and connect with colleagues in a fun and social setting. 

Supportive Work Environment: 

We foster a culture of open communication and collaboration where employees can feel comfortable seeking help and support when needed. Our commitment to work-life balance ensures they have time to recharge and prioritise their personal wellbeing.

We're actively building a more resilient workforce model through several key strategies:

Successful Recruitment and Onboarding: We strive to attract the best talent and ensure a smooth and supportive transition into the Shropdoc family. Our comprehensive onboarding programme equips new staff with the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their role.

Welcoming New Members of Staff: We warmly welcome all our new staff and encourage them to participate in our team environment actively. Their fresh perspectives and energy are valuable assets in driving innovation and continuous improvement.

Investing in Infrastructure and Working Conditions: We believe in providing a comfortable and productive work environment. This includes ongoing investments in our facilities, technology, and resources to ensure our teams have everything they need to perform at their best.

Values at the Core: Together We Thrive

Our commitment to your health and wellbeing is deeply rooted in our core organisational values. These values - community, Kindness, Integrity, Development, and Quality - guide every aspect of our work.

We believe that by embodying these values and supporting each other, we can create a truly exceptional work environment where everyone thrives.

Collaboration is Key

Exceptional healthcare delivery relies on strong collaboration across all levels of our organisation. We encourage open communication and teamwork to ensure we're providing the best possible care for our patients.

Here at Shropdoc, success isn't a solo performance – it's a beautiful symphony played by every individual, team, and department working in perfect harmony. It's the dedicated nurse offering a comforting hand, the skilled IT team ensuring seamless technology, and the insightful data analyst optimising resource allocation. Each role contributes a unique note, and when played together, creates a powerful melody of exceptional patient care.

Our commitment to living by our core values – Community, Kindness, Integrity, Quality, and Development – starts right here within our organisation. We recognise that no single department holds the sole key to success. It's the synergy created by our collective effort that allows us to truly meet the needs of our patients and communities. Every contribution, big or small, plays a vital role in Shropdoc's success.

Imagine a lone violinist trying to play a full symphony. The result wouldn't be music, just a series of disconnected notes. Similarly, at Shropdoc, individual excellence without collaboration can only achieve limited results. It's when we share information, brainstorm solutions, and support one another that we unlock our full potential.

When we break down departmental silos and foster open communication, we create fertile ground for improvement initiatives. The nurse on the frontline might identify a workflow inefficiency, while the data analyst can provide insights to improve it. This collaborative problem-solving fosters continuous quality improvement, ultimately benefiting our patients and the communities we serve.

Our commitment to our core values extends beyond our patients. Kindness and Integrity guide our interactions with colleagues, fostering a supportive and respectful work environment. By investing in development through training and mentorship programmes, we empower our team members to reach their full potential. This collective focus on community within Shropdoc creates the ideal breeding ground for collaboration and innovation to flourish.

By upholding our values and fostering a spirit of collaboration, we are building an organisation where everyone feels valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute their best. This commitment to "we" over "me" will be the driving force behind our continued success in delivering exceptional care for the communities we serve.

The most beautiful music is created when every instrument plays its part.

Significant Achievements: Investing in the Future 

I could write an entire update about the considerable achievements of the past six months, but I will just touch on a number of successful projects.

We modernised our infrastructure with a cloud migration project with our outsourced Managed Service Provider, EBC Group. This move ensures a more secure, resilient, and scalable platform for the future. We've also invested in our Business Intelligence team, enabling data-driven processes that fuel continuous improvement, informed decision-making, and robust datasets. This fosters a learning culture within Shropdoc. 

We're delighted that the Presteigne Medical Practice team, now part of the Shropdoc family, continues to go from strength to strength with a new website launched this month.

The practice excels in delivering routine GMS services to its patients, all while fully embracing the Shropdoc values and mission.

Despite increasing demand, funding constraints, and a challenging operating environment, the quality of our services remains exceptional. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.

We've achieved a great deal, but the journey continues. To ensure a sustainable future, we must build on these achievements, which require the valued contributions of every staff member. Thank you for your dedication, and let's continue working together to achieve our mission.

National Engagement: Urgent Health UK 

As a member organisation of Urgent Health UK (UHUK), we advocate for fair and equitable pay for our staff within the social enterprise sector. We also lobby the Government and the Department of Health, raising the profile of social enterprises and the opportunities they present for driving innovation and efficiency in urgent primary care.

Our membership in Urgent Health UK (UHUK) is an invaluable asset that strengthens our organisation in countless ways. 

UHUK fosters a vibrant community of social enterprise providers within the urgent and primary care sector. This translates into a wealth of benefits for our organisation, and we gain access to a network of experienced peers, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing through best practice exchange. 

UHUK also serves as a powerful platform for innovation, keeping us abreast of the latest advancements and encouraging collaborative efforts to develop cutting-edge solutions. Their national reach empowers us with a collective voice in advocating for policy changes that benefit both patients and social enterprises. 

Additionally, UHUK facilitates efficient supplier procurement and central lobbying efforts, ensuring we have access to the best resources and can advocate for our shared social mission on a national stage. Ultimately, UHUK provides a strong sense of belonging, connecting us to a network of like-minded organisations dedicated to delivering exceptional healthcare within a social enterprise framework.

And finally, Welcome New Starters!

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest staff members! Shropdoc is a thriving organisation, and I was pleased to support the recent Corporate induction, meet many new team members, and witness a fizzing atmosphere of enthusiasm, togetherness, and excitement. 

Shropdoc is experiencing a period of growth and development. We're constantly innovating, expanding our services, and are committed to building a sustainable future, ensuring we can continue delivering exceptional healthcare services for many years to come. This future depends heavily on the talent and dedication of our people, and the skills, experience, and fresh perspectives of our new starters will be invaluable in achieving our goals.

At Shropdoc, our mission is clear: ‘to keep patients at the heart of everything we do’. We strive to deliver efficient, compassionate, and accessible care for everyone in our community.

Back to all news