An innovative AI-supported spirometry service is helping to improve respiratory diagnostics across North East and North Cumbria. By combining artificial intelligence with specialist clinical expertise, the programme is increasing access to high-quality spirometry testing, supporting healthcare staff, and helping patients receive earlier diagnosis of respiratory conditions. The approach is reducing pressure on the workforce while strengthening clinical capacity, ensuring more people can access timely, accurate care closer to home. It is a great example of how innovation can support both staff and patients, delivering practical improvements in healthcare services across the region. Read the full case study in the NENC Innovation Library: AI‑Supported Spirometry & workforce transformation  

Health and care professionals from across North East and North Cumbria recently came together for the relaunch of Deciding Right and the introduction of new digital palliative and end of life care planning templates. The event highlighted the continued commitment to ensuring people’s wishes, values and priorities remain at the centre of care. The refreshed Deciding Right suite includes updated advance care planning documentation, the introduction of a Treatment Escalation Plan (TEP), and new unified digital templates for palliative and end of life care planning within EMIS and SystmOne. Attendees heard about the history of Deciding Right, changes to DNACPR processes, developments in community care and new educational resources to […]

A pilot mobile healthcare service in Sunderland has improved access to primary care for people experiencing substance use disorders and homelessness. The Sunderland Health Bus, developed through a partnership between Sunderland City Council, Sunderland GP Alliance, ARC North East and North Cumbria (ARC NENC), and people with lived experience, brought healthcare directly into community settings across the city between April and October 2025. The service offered flexible, walk-in access to primary care, supported by clinicians and peer workers with lived experience of substance use or homelessness. Designed to reduce barriers such as stigma, digital exclusion and difficulty accessing traditional services, the bus aimed to reach people who often experience some […]

Healthcare professionals from across the North East and North Cumbria are invited to attend a free Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICC) Lunch and Learn event on Tuesday 29 September, coinciding with World Heart Day. Hosted by Poppy’s Light Foundation at Ramside Hall, Durham, the afternoon will bring together colleagues with an interest in inherited cardiac conditions to learn, share experiences and network with others working in this area. The event will provide an introduction to inherited cardiac conditions (ICCs), including cardiomyopathies, channelopathies and aortopathies, and will explore how these conditions affect patients and families across the region. Attendees will also hear about the charity’s plans to support healthcare professionals, patients and […]

This Connect & Learn session on 14 July 2026 saw colleagues from across the North East and North Cumbria come together to explore ‘Increasing Referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP)’. Our Connect & Learns are a series of online learning events, planned with the purpose of sharing and spreading improvement work across the North East and North Cumbria health and care system. This session provided an overview of the NDPP, and explored how primary care colleagues can maximise its impact across their populations. Participants gained insight into the referral and patient onboarding process, helping to build confidence in identifying and supporting eligible patients. The session also showcased a […]

Brought to you by Boost in collaboration with North Cumbria Knowledge and Library Service, this LUNCH & LEARN session on 30 June 2026 saw James Crosbie (GP, Gastroenterologist, Clinical Lead for Alcohol Harm Prevention) deliver a presentation on ‘Introducing the Alcohol Toolkit for Primary Care’. This session explored the newly launched Alcohol Toolkit for Primary Care – a practical, evidence-based resource designed to help primary care teams confidently identify and respond to alcohol-related harm. Primary care teams are well placed to have meaningful conversations about alcohol, and this toolkit supports a consistent, effective approach aligned with national guidance. In this session, we introduced the toolkit and demonstrated how it can […]

Reaching people where they are is a key part of delivering more accessible, proactive health and care. Across North East and North Cumbria, innovative approaches are helping to connect with communities who may not otherwise engage with traditional services. One powerful example of this in practice is Monty, Newcastle GP Services’ community health bus.   Bringing care closer to people Monty is a purpose-built mobile clinic staffed by experienced nurses and healthcare professionals. It delivers a range of essential health and care services directly into communities, focusing on areas where need is greatest. Services include: Health checks Cervical screening Blood pressure monitoring Vaccinations Smoking cessation support Diabetes screening By bringing […]

Reception staff play a vital role in general practice, often acting as the first point of contact for patients while managing high demand and complex interactions. As pressures on services continue to grow, supporting the emotional wellbeing of front‑of‑house teams is an important part of building a resilient and effective workforce. A new face‑to‑face workshop offers GP reception staff the opportunity to step back, reflect, and develop practical skills to manage the emotional demands of their role.   About the workshop Managing Emotions at Work in General Practice is a practical, supportive session designed specifically for reception teams. It focuses on helping staff better understand emotional labour and develop confidence […]

Connect & Learn is a series of online learning events designed to share and spread improvement across the North East and North Cumbria health and care system. These sessions go beyond information-sharing, creating space to connect with colleagues, generate ideas, and inspire practical improvements in your own role, team or service. The next session, Increasing Referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP), will take place on: 10 June 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm Online Register by 8 June 2026 Register for the session here.   Supporting prevention and population health This interactive session will explore how primary care colleagues can maximise the impact of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme and […]

Delivering high‑quality care while reducing environmental impact is a growing priority across health and care systems. The Sustainability Opportunity Model brings together real examples of how sustainability‑led change can improve patient care, deliver cashable savings and reduce carbon emissions at the same time. This resource shares a set of slides developed Peter Lillie (NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB Sustainability Lead), presenting practical case studies from across the region. The slides are designed to support system leaders, executive teams and improvement leads to explore how sustainability initiatives can be delivered at pace, with clear benefits for services and populations.   What the Sustainability Opportunity Model shows The slides highlight how […]