Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust’s Deputy Medical Director for Older People , Professor Ian Philp was among the leaders of the Solihull Together for better lives partnership to attend a special reception at 10 Downing Street hosted by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, on Monday evening (23 November 2015).
Along with Dr Patrick Brooke, Accountable Officer for Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group, Professor Philp attended the event on behalf of Solihull Together for better lives. This is a partnership of local health and care organisations that have joined forces to make sure everyone in the borough gets the right care and support when they need it.
The reception, also attended by The Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, and Simon Stevens, CEO of NHS England, brought together leaders from 50 ‘vanguard’ sites across the country. These sites, including Solihull, are developing new care models that will act as blueprints for the future of the health and care system across the country.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Brooke said: “We were proud to represent Solihull Together for better lives at the reception. Thanks to our partnership and the ICASS (Integrated Care and Support Solihull) Programme, there is a lot of great work going on in the borough. The NHS, local authority, emergency services and voluntary and community sector are working together to reshape the way care will be provided for Solihull residents so that it is good quality, safe, local and sustainable in these difficult economic times.”
Dr Brooke continued: “The Prime Minister highlighted to all of us his commitment to the NHS, the need for greater integration, delivery of services seven days a week and the potential of scientific advances and research. All of these are core to our plans for Solihull.”
Professor Ian Philp explained that while Solihull Together for better lives is about improving urgent and emergency care for the whole population, “we will initially focus on transforming the way we provide care for older people. Solihull Hospital is central to our plans but we also want to prevent people needing emergency care and increase the support available to keep people at home where possible.
“At the moment we are building six Integrated Community Teams which will support local populations of around 40,000 people to stay well and independent in the community and avoid admission to hospital.
“The teams will include community nursing, adult social care, GP practices, mental health, specialist services, third sector organisations and other local partners.”
Dr Brooke concluded: “Having vanguard status is a fantastic opportunity that will help us achieve more for people who use health and care services in Solihull.
“It is national recognition for the pioneering work already taking place in Solihull to join together local services. And it gives us access to the support, national expertise and funding that can enable us to roll out our plans across the whole borough”
A short animation setting out the Solihull Together for better lives ambition is available to watch at www.solihulltogether.co.uk
