Our story
Heartbeat was formed in 2014 after GPs, nurses and managers across Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby felt that they could have done more to retain local services for patients.
Building on the strong track record of delivering safe, quality services to patients with a high level of patient satisfaction, Heartbeat has created partnerships to provide patients with healthcare solutions that meet the needs of our unique rural demographics. Our services have fulfilled a vital role in supporting GP practices and primary care providers to service patients in an ever-changing world.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Heartbeat supported the vital roll out of the vaccination programme to be delivered at speed. Seeing Whitby featured on the national NHS media campaign was just one of the proud moments that showed the power of people pulling together with a clear and common purpose.
In January 2022 the Heartbeat Alliance announced the decision to transform into a Community Interest Company (CIC) and place people before profit. A CIC is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. In other words, a not-for-profit company with a clear focus on the community which it serves.
This focus directly supports Heartbeat’s mission to; improve health and meet health and care needs by supporting the North Yorkshire communities they serve with innovation and quality services. We are placing values at the centre of the organisation and being the glue that brings a community of North Yorkshire healthcare organisations together.
Collaboration and innovation are key as we work with our network to bring new ideas to improve healthcare services and help enable these ideas to happen through our management expertise.
Vision, mission and values
Vision
To be recognised as a leader in Primary Care.
Mission
Heartbeat’s mission is to improve health. We meet everyday health and care needs by supporting the communities we serve with innovation and quality services.
Values
Our values bring everyone in Heartbeat together with a shared understanding of how we interact with each other and the patients we serve. We hold each other accountable to our three core values so that everything we do reflects them.
We take ownership and pride in delivering a supportive and high-quality service.
We are open and transparent and deliver on our promises.
We care about patients and one another. We value collaboration, helping and empowering others.
Our green plan
In October 2020, the NHS published the Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service report which set ambitions on reaching net zero for emissions controlled directly by the NHS by 2040, and for emissions influenced by the NHS by 2045.
The Heartbeat Board are concerned about and recognise the importance and urgency of addressing climate change and the serious risks that climate change poses for present and future generations.
The senior management team have created a 10-point plan to help guide our Better Access Hubs and Practices to reduce their environmental impact in line with the NHS’ net zero ambitions.
Whilst the idea of reducing your environmental impact may seem daunting, every positive change you make, however small, will bring benefits to you, your workplace, your patients, and our planet, both now and for generations to come.
Download a copy of the Heartbeat Declaration of a Climate Emergency Pledge
Download a copy of the 10-step plan for Better Access hubs and practices
Download a copy of the quick 10-step plan reference guide
Iain Murray Memorial Prize for Innovation
In memory of our friend and colleague Iain Murray, Heartbeat Primary Care CIC offered an annual prize of £1,000 for best innovative idea submitted to improve the health and wellbeing of patients in the NHS defined localities of Hamble- ton, Richmondshire and Whitby. Ideas were to be capable of implementation across all three localities whether through adoption by Heartbeat itself, Primary Care Networks, or individual practices.
Entries were to demonstrate how they would help relieve practice pressures as well as to benefit patients. They were to be clinical or administrative and could relate to patient flows or clinical practice. Ideas with a carbon net zero and/or digital element would be particularly well received as would ideas that promote the integration of primary care with other parts of the health and social care system.
Heartbeat will undertake to support the creation of a project team to develop the winning idea and implement it.
Who Can Enter
Heartbeat staff as well as Heartbeat shareholder practice staff and partners may submit entries. Multiple entries from individuals and practices meeting the submission criteria will be accepted provided they are submitted using a separate entry form for each idea.
Exclusion
Directors and senior managers of Heartbeat are excluded from entering.
Starting and Closing Date
Entries are closed for this memorial prize.