Patient Choice

Impact was set up because residents of Radford and Hyson Green requested access to complementary therapies. At a New Deal for Communities sponsored consultation event on health in 2002, participants made it clear that they felt it was unfair complementary medicine should only be available to those who can pay. The original Impact co-directors, homeopath Fiona Robertson and acupuncturist Heather Fitton, both have a background in community development and youth work, and understood the needs and concerns of the local residents. Ensuring access to all sections of the community was a primary concern, and the Impact team remain deeply committed to making complementary medicine available to all, based on need, rather than ability to pay.

“I am really lucky to have been able to use the service at Impact – it is a wonderful resource for local people. The people are so friendly and make you welcome, but also they take you seriously so that you can make sense of what’s wrong with you. I can’t really think of any improvements you could make to your service – it manages to be efficient and professional, friendly and caring and lets me choose the kind of treatment I want – thank you”

Listen to patients talk about their experiences:



Please select play button above to view video

Impact is a very popular choice with patients. Demand for the NDC funded service at the Waverley Health Centre was very high, and when the funding ended in 2007, the Impact patients’ forum presented a petition signed by nine hundred local residents to Nottingham City PCT, requesting that Impact’s service should continue.

The GPs at Radford Medical Practice were very impressed with the range of services we offer, and were clear that referrals to Impact were very popular with patients – this was one of the reasons they commissioned us to provide a service based at their surgery.

“Being able to come here has made a huge impact on my life for the better. It is priceless to be cared for holistically by such wonderful people. I can’t thank you enough.”

“It’s my opinion that all proven therapies should be offered to patients – rather than instructing a patient to ‘learn to live with it’ from my own experience….homeopathy has given me back my well being feeling and I am coping much better now after only two lots of tablets.”

“Very happy with the service provided. It has changed my life for the better.”

Just over half the patients (24) treated at Radford Medical Practice completed a patient satisfaction questionnaire once they had finished treatment with Impact. 100% agreed that they have been appropriately referred by their GP, and all of them said they would recommend Impact to others. Nearly 90% were very satisfied with the service they received; with the remaining patients saying they were satisfied.

“I received effective and positive treatment. Thank you!”

Several patients commented that, whilst they were happy with the treatment, six sessions were not sufficient. This was particularly true for acupuncture patients; normal clinical practice in acupuncture is to offer a course of ten sessions. Our experience at the Waverley Health Centre clinic demonstrated that a greater degree of flexibility was helpful in ensuring that patients had the individually-tailored treatment that led to permanent improvement in their health and wellbeing.

“If I could continue treatment I would do so. But the medical practice only allows 6 sessions which isn’t enough”

It is clear, therefore, that this service is extremely popular with patients, when it is made available as part of NHS primary care.

Stories from Radford

In early 2007, six Impact patients spent the day with BBC Radio Nottingham, taking part in a workshop. Each person wrote about their experience of being treated at Impact, and the stories are moving, fascinating and sometimes humorous: click here to listen to Malcolm, Rachel, Ferzana, Julie, Theresa, and Anne.

One of Impact's patients at the Waverley Health Centre wrote to her GP describing
the improvements that she experienced following treatment:

.“…the greatest help that you have given me was by a referral to ‘IMPACT’ Integrated Medical Project and to Heather Fitton – Acupuncturist. Since March 2006, this regular on going support and treatment has not only improved my condition and strengthened my general health but just as importantly helped me to manage my coping strategies.

I would like to elaborate this further below… ”

Downloads:

Impact 2010 (pdf approx 750Kb)
Impact 2006 (pdf approx 250Kb)
Impact 2005 (pdf approx 250Kb)
Impact 2004 (pdf approx 250Kb)
Comments from Radford Medical Practice (pdf approx 100Kb)
Impact comments book (pdf approx 100Kb)
Dr Shona Kelly 1 (pdf approx 100Kb)
Dr Shona Kelly 2 (pdf approx 100Kb)