Collaborative Working

Jean Kirby, Cancer Champion for Retford and Villages PCN, worked alongside DHL in Worksop to develop and run a monthly Prostate Cancer Support Group for the area. DHL contributed £500 to support with room hire and refreshments. 

Communication about the Prostate Cancer Support Group was shared across all staff communication channels, community pages, WhatsApp groups and in the staff canteen (please see poster below). 
These channels are also used to raise awareness about cancer screening programmes and the early signs and symptoms of cancer.
This branch has a large number of workers who are of Eastern European descent and by working alongside DHL, Jean hopes this will support engagement with this community. 
Further meetings are planned with the HR Department at DHL to discuss the possibility of staff having time off to attend screening appointments, have more literature available in their preferred language around cancer screening and have awareness and support days on site. 

Myka Steeples is the Digital and Transformation Lead for the PCN and linked with Rotherham Council around their digital exclusion strategy. From linking with the Council, she was informed about the Good Things Foundation, a digital inclusion charity that aims to fix the digital divide. They offer several services including the national databank which provides SIM cards to the community, giving people access to free data. A local library in Rotherham was offering the SIM cards out to the community as part of the National Digital Inclusion Network. There are currently over 1,600 organisations providing data across the UK. They also offer free online training (Learn My Way) such as how to use Online Government, Healthcare and Council services. 

Myka contacted the local library to ask about the services and if they could refer patients. However, due to confidentiality and the sharing of patient-identifiable information, Myka decided to contact the charity directly. Myka was provided with a step-by-step guide on joining the network and the charity confirmed that no patient information is required for someone to receive a SIM card.  The only criteria for people to be able to receive a free SIM card are they are 18+, from a low-income household and/or have no data currently. 
The National Databank offers free SIM cards to help people get connected, like a foodbank but for mobile data. The SIM cards are donated by different suppliers and offer different benefits, for example, O2 and Vodaphone offer 6 months of free data with free calls and texts. After 6 months if the person still requires data/SIM card they can access another SIM card, there is no limit. You can also use PAC codes on the sims, allowing you to keep your number.
Myka needed to register for an account and join the network as an organisation. She registered as a PCN network and used the practice address, as it is not possible to register as an individual person. Once submitted and reviewed Myka was sent some SIM cards.  Myka had full support from the PCN and the Board. Myka discussed the proposal and agreed to work with their Social Prescriber to provide people with a SIM card, working with the criteria that they are 18+ with low income and have access to a mobile device. 

For more information, the Good Things Foundation presented at the December 2023 PCN Steering Group, to watch the recording please click here.