Lohit explains why uniting services across a local group of practices is so important for the team of staff and the 48,000 patients they serve:
“I started in this role about three years ago. I was lucky enough to be able to define the new ‘Matron’ role, to work out what was needed. For me, it is all about cohesion. We are all part of the same team, serving the same patient population to the best of our combined ability.
Lohit started on the bottom rung of the NHS ladder and is now at management level. He knows the NHS very well and has a wealth of experience to share with his colleagues.
Within a year, the ‘Matron’ model was working well, and everyone was feeling the benefits. The role is now in the process of being rolled out across other local practice groups across mid and south Essex.
Lohit continues: “My role is varied; I act as a central point of contact, and I can help with staffing. I liaise with doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, paramedics, pharmacists, social prescribers, physios and mental health nurses. I answer questions and help build relationships between NHS staff and GP surgeries.
“Another big part of my remit is to lead on care provision. I am an Integrated Care Team Lead and have a passion for developing care around frailty. Benfleet has an ageing population, and frailty in the community is a growing concern for us.”
Lohit is passionate about finding ways to give residents the care they need and reach more people quicker, freeing up GPs in the process:
“I create practice groups to develop preventative care by using early identifiers. I work with care homes to develop enhanced care, drafting in nurse practitioners to free up more doctors. Nurse practitioners are highly trained and have the right skill set for care environments. In turn, GPs can be on the frontline servicing patients and reducing wait times for everyday appointments.
He says: “We want to give people the dignity of the right care in the right place. Together, we can achieve that.”
Get the care you need quicker
Lots of work is underway to help people get quicker, easier access to important NHS healthcare services in mid and south Essex. This includes helping people to access a range of services without needing to see their GP first.
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