"We care" runs through PICS' (Primary Integrated Community Services) entire culture, whether meeting the health and wellbeing needs of the Nottinghamshire communities it serves or those of its growing team.
PICS' 'four pillars' consist of managing five GP practices, supporting 11 Primary Care Networks and designing and providing community and 'out of hospital' services. The aim is to ensure joined-up and seamless care for NHS patients. And the 'pillar' approach to describing the organisation is helping staff better understand its work and aims,
The organisation's leaders work hard to maintain its family feel, after starting out with just 20 staff 10 years ago and now employing almost 500. And they do so by encouraging staff to live by the values, embedding them into the recruitment process and regular communications. Employees are encouraged to give feedback and challenge to ensure policies and practices align with the values.
Regardless of whether their role is clinical, there's a focus on lifelong learning for all team members, ensuring they can offer patients quality healthcare. The whole organisation has a training needs analysis, and managers and staff discuss individual development needs. This may include apprenticeships or a programme for people new to line management.
And people from all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to join PICS. It recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant supporting personnel leaving the forces and their families into healthcare careers.
