A GP who has worked closely with a health trust to spearhead a new innovation helping patients be cared for in their own homes has been appointed into a new role at the organisation.
Ferrari Kwan will be the out of hospital care clinical lead at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
Ferrari, who is a GP for Queens Park Medical Practice in Stockton, will work on improving patient treatment in the community.
Dr Kwan, in his role as a clinical lead for Hartlepool and Stockton Health GP federation, has already worked in collaboration with the Trust.
This is to set up a new ‘hospital at home’ service for frail and elderly patients who are given a specialised hospital-level of treatment in their own homes.
It is a partnership between the NHS trust and local GPs, with social care services also involved.
Ferrari’s new role, which he will carry out one day a week for an initial one-year period, will strengthen links between primary and secondary care.
He said: “I have already worked very closely with the Trust on our hospital at home for frail and elderly patients.
“Over this time, we have created an effective system where patients are being referred by GPs directly into the programme.
“It means these patients can avoid a hospital admission where they can avoid complications and where they are more comfortable.
“This new role will help me work in a closer capacity with colleagues at the Trust, increase engagement between primary and secondary care.
“The collaboration model of a GP working within the trust to lead community services is innovative and will hopefully create many opportunities for future projects.
“I am really excited to see how we can develop this further and provide the best possible experience for our patients.”
Cath Monaghan, respiratory consultant and clinical lead at the Trust, has worked closely with Dr Kwan in setting up the hospital at home model.
She said: “I am delighted that we have appointed Ferrari into this post – he is someone we have already worked with very closely.
“This is a brilliant opportunity to improve links between GPs and the Trust and develop pathways to improve the care we all deliver.”