The Orpington PCN Cancer Care Coordinators have been shortlisted for national award for improving uptake of screenings
The Orpington PCN Cancer Care Coordinators, working in partnership with the South East London Cancer Alliance, have been shortlisted for the ‘Clinical Improvement Award: Public Health and Prevention’ at the GP Awards 2025.
The award celebrates projects that make a lasting difference to community health. It highlights initiatives that raise awareness, encourage engagement and deliver long-term benefits for patient wellbeing.
The project is designed to address health inequalities for individuals with learning difficulties (LD) or serious mental health illness (SMI) by increasing participation in screening. The intention is to promote greater understanding of the three national screening programmes, improve access to screening services, encourage engagement and uptake, and address any barriers to screening.
By facilitating discussions with LD/SMI patients about obstacles to screening and organising educational events, the project aims to gain insights into effective engagement strategies both during the project and in future efforts. The overall objective is to communicate clearly with LD/SMI patients, streamline the process of making screening appointments and support a more comfortable screening experience.
Additionally, inconsistencies were identified in carers’ and nurses’ knowledge of and attitudes toward screening for LD/SMI patients in care homes within the PCN, which may influence screening uptake. As a result, the project plans to co-design training with each care home and for Cancer Care Coordinators to deliver this training
A spokesperson from the Orpington PCN team said “This project introduced a new approach in which primary care has engaged with care homes by establishing connections and providing training, aimed at supporting these patients.
The intended outcome is to improve communication with LD/SMI patients, enhance their experience during appointment scheduling for screening, and help ensure they are at ease throughout the screening process.”
Being shortlisted is a reflection of the team’s dedication to supporting patients in the local area, ensuring more people can benefit from timely support, improved outcomes, and a better overall experience of care.
Winners will be announced later this year at the GP Awards ceremony, which celebrates outstanding contributions to general practice and public health across the UK.