Joining up services in East and North Herts – One year on
Background
Much work and effort has been put into the development of a collaborative model that works for the partnership and we wanted to reflect on our work over the year and consider our model and programme for the future.
How does the Assembly work?
Chaired and managed by Healthwatch Hertfordshire as an independent patient champion the assembly provides a forum for a broad range of voices within communities who want to help shape and improve local health and care services to be heard - including patients, carers, communities, local government and the NHS. All voices are listened to and are equal at the assembly.
The Community Assembly is involved with the partnership’s strategic direction, but equally important it will help enable opportunities for patient and carer involvement in the development of new care pathways or a new service.
At a time of transformation within the NHS, the assembly brings together stakeholders to address issues at ‘place’ level. Issues explored so far include patient involvement, carers, the impact of the pandemic and health and care working together.
The year so far
Reflecting on the year here is a brief summary of each of the assembly meetings:
The first Community Assembly took place in September 2021 with over 30 attendees from a wide range of sectors.
We heard about successful collaborative work which included:
- Virtual Ward Pathways
- Integrated Respiratory Services and
- The Long COVID Rehabilitation Pathway project which won a national exemplar award
In February 2022 our guest speakers gave us valuable insight into important areas of work in health, social care and the VCFSE sectors in the context of the Health and Care partnership. The presentations highlighted opportunities for working together in the future to address needs in our communities.
- The challenges for carers during the pandemic – Roma Mills, Carers in Herts
- The role of the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise partnership in health and wellbeing – Sarah Wren, Herts Independent Living Service
- Primary Care Networks and integrated care in East and North Herts – Dr. Sian Stanley, GP Partner and Clinical Director of Stort Valley and Villages PCN
Keynote speakers at the May 2022 meeting included:
Tom Hennessey, Director of Health Integration at Herts County Council who talked about social care and the importance of health and care integration plus an update on the Integrated Care Partnership.
Following questions his colleague Christine Oker, Programme Manager for Health Integration introduced the new and developing Draft Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Nuala Milbourn, Associate Director for Communications and Engagement at East and North Hertfordshire CCG and Communications Lead for Hertfordshire and West Essex shared plans for the future involvement of communities in the Integrated Care Partnership.
Going Forward
We have exciting plans for future development so that patients and communities can take part in a co-production and involvement model and are looking for ways to boost attendance with the right people at our meetings.
If you want to find out more about joining the Community Assembly as a regular attendee and want to help shape and improve health and social care please contact Healthwatch Hertfordshire.
Our next meeting is due to take place on Friday 19th August 2022 from 9.30 am – 11.30 am.
Find out more about taking part
Please let us have brief information about your background and any specific links you have with health and social care on either a personal, voluntary or professional level. We would love to hear from you.
info@healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk
01707 275978
