A challenging and exciting programme of improvements is under way, designed to transform services and access to community-based general practice and mental health services.

The Primary Care and Mental Health Transformation Programme (PCMHTP) supports NHS Lanarkshire’s strategic priority to treat people in the community, as well as our aim to reduce inequalities in health care.

The programme is being driven by a number of factors, including an ageing population with more complex health needs, reducing numbers of clinicians (particularly GPs), the growing need to use all of our resources more efficiently and the recognition that “more of the same” will not meet future need and demand.

An improvement support team has been set up with the key clinical and management specialists and will inform the development and design of general practice and other aspects of primary care.

Dr Chris Mackintosh, medical director for South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, is chair of the transformation programme board and says that the current pressures in general practice and across the community require us all to think differently to achieve our vision

He said, “By organising our efforts in a coordinated fashion we will make best use of the changing resources available to us. Staff across health and social care will be involved in the transformation programme.

“NHS Lanarkshire is committed to delivering world-leading, high quality innovative health and social care that is person-centred. Our ambition is to be a quality-driven organisation that cares about people and is focused on achieving a healthier life for all.

“We need to transform services to achieve this and this programme is the route to do this. Within this overall programme there are some exciting developments.

“The PCMHTP provides the mechanism that enables us to make the changes we need in a way that will deliver our vision.”