Pop-up community clinics

Pop-up community clinics are set up in convenient and comfortable locations, often in collaboration with community organisations, to offer accessible screening appointments and information sessions. They are often held as part of a general women’s health clinic. These clinics can help to address cultural barriers, accommodate work and family commitments, and improve overall access to essential healthcare services.

The Rumworth Project, a collaboration between Bolton GP Federation, Healthwatch Bolton, and Answer Cancer aims to bring cervical screening closer to communities and make it easier for women to undergo screening without having to visit a GP surgery. Working with their local Council of Mosques they have held a pop-up community clinic undertaking cervical screening alongside a general health check. Through this clinic they engaged with multiple women who had never been screened, performed several first screens, and increased community understanding and confidence[1].

In Sussex, Bridge Medical Centre identified the need to engage with Afghan refugees who faced several significant barriers to screening. By working with the Afghan women’s lead they were able to arrange a pop-up clinic and awareness session at a hotel housing the women. The clinic resulted in everyone who was eligible undergoing screening, and increased community understanding and confidence[2].

Introducing pop-up community clinics may overcome the barriers to reaching those who share characteristics with the portrait of Nina.

Planning and implementing pop-up community clinics

Plan
Community needs Conduct a needs assessment to pinpoint communities with low cervical screening uptake rates and inadequate access to healthcare services. Assess the viability of establishing pop-up community clinics in these areas, considering community demographics, accessibility, and potential partnerships with local organisations to ensure effective outreach and service delivery.
Clinic location Identify suitable locations for pop-up community clinics based on community demographics, accessibility, and required facilities (including private rooms, lockable doors, window coverings, and so on). Consider partnering with community centres, churches, schools, or other organisations to host the clinics and increase outreach to the target population.
Clinic logistics Determine clinic logistics, encompassing hours of operation, staffing needs, equipment portability, and appointment scheduling and patient record protocols. Additionally, address accessibility concerns such as parking proximity and public transport access to ensure inclusivity and ease of access. Agree with colleagues how to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality throughout the clinic. Ensure the appropriate risk assessments are completed.
Partnerships and resources Explore collaborations with local healthcare professionals, community organisations, and volunteers to bolster support for the clinics and amplify outreach endeavours.
Training Ensure that staff are trained and supported to provide care in community environments including ensuring health and safety, and safeguarding requirements are met.
Promote
Website Update the surgery’s website with a dedicated page or section highlighting the pop-up community clinic, including operating hours, and any eligibility criteria.
Social media Use social media to post updates about the pop-up community clinic, upcoming days/times, and testimonials.
Print materials Produce flyers and posters promoting the clinics to be displayed in appropriate community locations and insert information as appropriate in any partner organisation materials, such as newsletters.
Feedback and testimonials Actively solicit feedback from patients who have visited a pop-up community clinic and showcase positive testimonials on the surgery’s website and social media channels.
Patient engagement platforms Leverage patient engagement platforms such as patient portals, mobile apps, and online messaging systems to promote the pop-up community clinic.
Partnership collaboration Forge partnerships with local community organisations, women’s groups, and businesses to co-host and promote the clinics. Leverage their networks and resources to expand outreach efforts and reach a broader audience.
Campaign material Use campaign materials to raise awareness about the importance of cervical screening and the benefits of early detection. Use various channels such as social media, email newsletters, posters, and patient education materials to disseminate information and encourage participation.
Execute
Launch pop-up clinic Launch pop-up community clinics according to the established logistics and schedule.
On the day considerations Considerations for the day of the extended hours clinic include:

·         designating staff members to welcome and register patients and provide assistance throughout the clinic

·         whether an information stand with educational materials and equipment including speculums and collection brushes would help people waiting understand the procedure better and help answer any queries
Evaluate
Clinic attendance and participation Monitor attendance and participation rates at pop-up community clinics to evaluate community engagement and reach, while also tracking the number of screenings conducted. Identify trends and patterns in patient demographics and screening outcomes to tailor future outreach efforts effectively.
Patient feedback Gather feedback from patients who participate in the pop-up clinics to assess their satisfaction with the experience. Conduct surveys or interviews to understand patient perceptions, identify areas for improvement, and gather testimonials to share with other patients.
Staff feedback Collect feedback from staff who are engaged in the operation of pop-up clinics to evaluate their satisfaction with the experience and effectiveness of the clinics. Use surveys or interviews to gather insights into staff perceptions, identify areas for improvement, and gather testimonials highlighting successful aspects of the clinic’s operation to share with other staff members.

Next page: Screening champions