About i-HEART

The i-HEART Barnsley project is a service providing NHS care services to the people of Barnsley being delivered by the Barnsley Healthcare Federation.

The Federation is a partnership of GP practices working with the Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group and local healthcare providers.

In March 2015, the Barnsley Healthcare Federation secured funding from the Prime Ministers Challenge Fund to develop and run a pilot to create new appointments for patients whilst offering them a range of different consultation methods.

Following securing the funds, In June 2015 we undertook public engagement to understand what patients and the public wanted from an additional service. Following the findings of this engagement, the i-HEART Barnsley service has been developed using patient/public feedback, local health needs analysis combined with Barnsley Health and Wellbeing Board and the local Clinical Commissioning Group priorities.  The public engagement summary report is available here

Traditionally, most consultations with GPs and other healthcare professionals have been face to face in the GP surgery or a health centre.

With the advancement of modern technologies, digital health and public/patients requiring more flexibility to access care.

These new services include:

• A dedicated Barnsley telephone number for patients/public to call
• Assessment and advice by a clinician over the telephone
• Flexible appointments times at evenings and weekends
• Consultations through different channels (email, telephone, virtual video and face to face)