The WHO visits HCL: Global insights, local impact

Exploring multichannel access to care 

In Dr Al-Qanubi’s post-reflection note to the HCL team, a key theme was our commitment to accessibility. HCL offers patients multiple routes into care, from in-person and online consultations, plus a digital questionnaire-based model.  

The latter allows patients to complete a form — sometimes including images — to describe their symptoms or conditions. The submissions are reviewed by a clinician, and feedback is typically delivered within the same day. 

This model, he observed, demonstrates how digital tools can streamline service delivery, while being convenient for patients. By meeting patients where they are —physically or digitally — healthcare becomes flexible, adaptable, and future-ready as tech becomes increasingly, and innovatively lined with healthcare provision. 

Shadowing the full spectrum of primary care 

Dr Al-Qanubi shadowed a wide array of healthcare professionals, including First Contact Practitioners (FCPs), Physician Associates, Nurses, Pharmacists, and General Practitioners. They each gave him new perspectives on the interwoven roles that make up multidisciplinary care teams. 

His journey included visits to specialty clinics focused on dermatology, diabetes, and asthma — settings where targeted interventions play a vital role in managing chronic conditions. Each clinic showcased the value of specialist knowledge within general practice frameworks, offering comprehensive care while maintaining accessibility. 

Community services: Care beyond the clinic 

Observing community services in action ended up being the most impactful for Dr Al-Qanubi. He was especially impressed by home visits provided to elderly patients, where many of them faced barriers in accessing care outside their homes. 

Partnering with a physician associate, he tapped into the holistic assessment of patients, including blood collection, monitoring of vital signs, and condition-specific evaluations.  

This proactive approach to care for the elderly is about health equity and ageing-in-place strategies, both of which are gaining attention in international public health discourse.  

“One of the most unforgettable experiences was observing community services, where elderly patients receive the necessary services at home,” says Dr Al-Qanubi.  

“The HCL team demonstrated a remarkable commitment to organizing and coordinating around 32 GP centres in Westminster, which shows excellent healthcare integration and collaboration. This type of integration reflects global best practices in healthcare.” 

Preventive care and the expanding role of pharmacists 

Vaccination clinics were also a key part of Dr Al-Qanubi’s visit. Watching the childhood immunisation clinics in action gave a clear sense of how the NHS is working to make preventive care a bigger part of everyday practice — well organised, thoughtful, and clearly aimed at getting ahead of health problems before they start.  

He also noticed that pharmacists are taking on a bigger role, in giving vaccines, but also helping people stay on top of their medication and offering advice on day-to-day health and lifestyle concerns. 

This widening of roles signals towards an intuitive, holistic healthcare future, where coordination between multiple teams is paramount. Different professionals will share the load — from clinical work to patient education.  

For healthcare systems globally that are trying to do more with less, it’s a smart, joined-up way of working that makes a lot of sense. 

Integrated services and coordinated excellence 

HCL’s support of 31 GP Practices across Westminster stands out as a hallmark in population-level care. This level of logistical and clinical integration sets a gold standard for healthcare delivery. As Dr. Al-Qanubi puts it, the seamless services provided across multiple sites are “a testament to excellent healthcare integration and collaboration.” 

Coordinated efforts like these keep care consistent and make services more accessible, especially in areas with marginalised patient populations 

Supporting the next generation of global clinicians 

Behind the scenes, Dr. Al-Qanubi highlighted the careful planning and oversight by the HCL team. Special recognition went to CLH’s Director of Research, Bahram Hassanpourfard. His work across research, scheduling and logistics has helped create a solid, well-rounded programme for clinical learning and patient care.  

Local innovation, scalable globally 

Dr Al-Qanubi notes that federations like HCL are both shaping NHS primary care and setting a global standard for the future. With digital triage, joined-up teams, and integrated community outreach, HCL’s systems are both innovative and built to scale.