House of Care

Staff at Bydand Medical Group are getting ready for a new way of working with their patients who are living with long-term health conditions. This new way of working is based on a method called “the House of Care”. Having been tested in general practice in other parts of Scotland, it is now slowly spreading to practices across Grampian. The main change is that people receive a longer appointment to review their health, rather than a number of short appointments focusing on a single health condition. All the routine tests are still done, but the results are sent to the patient a couple of weeks before this appointment. The results are sent out so that they are easy to understand, along with some questions to prompt the person to think about their health. Their healthcare professional also sees all their results, and will offer the same high quality care as before. But with both having access to the results in advance, it is more likely that the appointment will focus on things that are important to the person.

Dr Fiona Reid, one of the GPs at the practice, said 'As a practice, we are very enthusiastic and excited to be moving to a House of Care approach for patients with long term conditions. The main difference with this is that patients will be able to look at their results and discuss them before their appointment and be able to make plans and goals for themselves. It will also be much more patient-centred and give them the real opportunity to be involved in their care and decision making. It will be exciting to be able to link in with the vast array of community resources that Huntly has to offer so that patients can be motivated to make lifestyle changes using diet, exercise and social interventions and not just medications.'

Living with a long-term health condition often involves tests and medications, but this is only a part of the picture. It also means being able to get on with everyday life, making decisions that protect and improve health for the future, drawing on available community support, and from the people around you. It is about facing down anxiety and uncertainty, maintaining hope and self-confidence, and experiencing meaning, belonging and purpose in everyday life. Most of what is important in living with long-term conditions can’t be found in a pill.

Bydand Medical Practice will contact people who are eligible for House of Care in the month of their birth, and invite them to make an initial appointment when the process will be explained and routine tests completed. The longer discussion appointment will then happen around two weeks later.