We're thrilled to welcome the inspiring Dr. Helen Kingston, a GP and senior partner at Frome Medical Practice, who shares with us her team's unique and effective approach to healthcare that prioritises sustainability. Their journey to green healthcare is quite remarkable, from integrating social prescribing into medical practice to being the first practice to receive the prestigious RCGP Green Impact Gold Plus Award. Ben & Helen explore the extensive collaborative work happening on a community level. And rounding it all off, Helen shares her thoughts on the importance of motivation and the role of networks like the Greener Practice Network in driving sustainability in general practice. Each bit of the episode is packed with valuable insights and practical takeaways on fostering sustainable healthcare practices.

 

Introduction (0:08)

 

How it all started (0:40)

 

Social prescribers prior to PCN’s? (1:52)

 

Are social subscribers integrated? (2:59)

 

Capturing the impacts.. (4:37)

 

RCGP Green Impact Gold Plus Award.. (5:49)

 

Is team involvement key? (8:00)

 

Trying something outside Practice with the local community.... (10:42)

 

What is a community connector? (12:26)

 

Are they staff? (13:44)

 

How does it work? (14:05)

 

Evolution of the patient participation groups? (14:56)

 

The project.. (15:19)

 

Measuring the impact of the programme.. (17:34)

 

Helen’s view on sustainability.. (19:02)

 

Reflections on collaborative working? (19:48)

 

Working together.. (21:45)

 

What’s next? (22:24)

 

Any advice for people who want to do something in their Practice? (23:27)

 

Access The UK's primary care sustainability network, Greener Practice here and the toolkit here

 

Listen back to the previous episode: Terry Kemple, Sustainable general practice here. 

 

For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.