Creating an NHS fit for the future

2023 will, I hope, be an exciting time for community health as I feel as though we’re standing on the threshold of great things. This year will be one where community services will be fundamental in changing how we deliver care. We will be at the very heart of the re-design that will deliver NHS health and social care services more effectively in the future.

We know the current model isn’t working for patients; older people in particular are not getting the care they need, people are being admitted to acute hospitals rather than having a package of care to support them at home and many are deconditioning in hospital, meaning they need more intervention before they can return to their home.

We have an exciting opportunity to be creative and to do something really different. We know that good intermediate care needs intensive input from cross-skilled teams so people can live the life they want, so again, your views will be vital in shaping a new model of care.

The emergence of integrated neighbourhood teams, I hope, will have a profound and positive impact on the way we work as a system. From tackling health inequalities head-on, to working in partnership with GPs, acute hospitals, mental health services, social care and voluntary services, we can work together to make sure everyone gets the care they need. Our team’s experience in our communities will be a major influence on how integrated neighbourhood teams are set up and managed and their expertise will be invaluable in the months and years to come as we start to create new ways of working.

I’m really excited about being one of the 12 integrated care boards (ICBs) across England to pilot a new intermediate care model and we have already started to build some solid foundations, which will help modernise how and where we rehabilitate patients.

My promise to you is to listen to your views. We really want to understand 'what matters to me' for our patients, carers and service users. The majority of people simply want to be at home and we are pivotal in supporting their wishes.

It’s going to be a challenge but if we work together we can create an NHS that is fit for the future.

Mairead