Group Consultations

What are group consultations?

Group consultations are a way of supporting patients with long-term conditions. You could think of them as a group medical appointment. They are delivered to patients with similar health issues in a supportive group setting.

There are many benefits to a group consultation including:

• More time with a clinician
• Better patient experience
• Increased patient confidence in managing their condition
• Opportunity for patients to support each other
• Improved patient health outcomes
• Reductions in hospital admissions and A&E attendance

This short film will give you an idea of how a group consultation works.

And this film shows patients talking about how beneficial they've found the sessions to be - you can watch it here to get more of an idea about what to expect from group consultations.

What group consultations does Frome Medical Practice offer?

Group consultations take place at Frome Medical Practice for the following conditions:

• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Mental health
• Menopause HRT Group Discussion

Patients are invited to most group consultations by letter.

Diabetes Group Consultations will be booked by your Health Care Assistant during tests for your annual review.

Register your interest in joining the Menopause HRT Group Discussion

Feedback on our previous group consultations

As this is a new way of providing consultations, we understand people might be concerned about coming along to a Group Consultation. 

Patients who have attended our group consultations have given positive feedback. 

Our patients have shared that our group consultations:

• Offered more time with a clinician than one-on-one appointments
• Provided consistent care by allowing them to see the same clinician at each session
• Created a supportive space to share their experiences with others
• Gave them the opportunity to exchange helpful tips for managing their condition
• Boosted their confidence in managing their health
• Deepened their understanding of their condition
• Became something they looked forward to attending
• Created connections and friendships with others in a similar situation

Our clinicians also felt that group consultations meant they could develop a closer relationship with patients. This shows that there are benefits all round!