Pioneering plans that will transform the way health and social care services are delivered across the Fylde Coast are set to benefit from an injection of £4.26million.
It follows the announcement earlier this year that, following a rigorous process, the Fylde Coast has been chosen as one of a select few ‘vanguard’ sites in England, helping to lead the way in delivering the vision for the future of the NHS.
The pivotal role will see the Fylde Coast taking the lead on the development of new models of care which will act as the blueprints for change for the rest of the country.
The Fylde Coast faces many complex and diverse health challenges. The funding will help deliver a vision which will see health and social care ‘wrapped’ around the patient with more support delivered in the heart of the community and less in hospital.
Work has already begun to deliver some of these benefits. A new Extensive Care service was launched in June this year providing proactive care for elderly and frail patients with two or more long-term conditions, dramatically reducing the need for unplanned hospital visits. Currently delivered at Moor Park Primary Care Centre in Blackpool and Lytham Primary Care Centre, the funding will enable this service to benefit even more patients across the Fylde Coast.
There are also additional plans which will see GPs working in neighbourhoods alongside community care and social workers. Supported by shared electronic care records and a single point of contact for all out-of-hospital services, this will ensure seamless care for every patient across the Fylde Coast.
Dr Tony Naughton, clinical chief officer at NHS Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “With the successful launch of the new Extensive Care service at Lytham Primary Care Centre we are already seeing the benefits of this collective initiative with our local partners to deliver an improvement of health facilities across the Fylde Coast.
[/column] [column]“We are of course delighted to have received this funding, which is a ringing endorsement of the way we are looking to change the way we care for patients, empowering them to look after their own health needs while also empowering GPs to do all the good work they are truly capable of.”
Dr Amanda Doyle, a Blackpool GP and Chief Clinical Officer at NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “This significant investment demonstrates strong support for our plans which we know are ambitious but achievable.
“All the partners involved in the Fylde Coast vanguard are confident we will tackle the challenges and deliver the changes highlighted in the Five Year Forward View for the NHS. They will enable us to empower both staff and patients; engage with carers and care workers; and revolutionise the way healthcare is delivered on the Fylde Coast.”
Gary Doherty, chief executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that the Fylde coast vanguard bid has been granted this funding. The award is an endorsement of the area’s forward-thinking approach with partners coming together to transform models of care for local people.
“We must do more to keep people out of hospital and treat them in or near their homes. Fundamental change will produce better care, better value for money and better health outcomes for local people.”
Samantha Jones, Director – New Care Models Programme at NHS England said: “We are pleased to be able to support the Fylde Coast health economy with both financial and practical support. The changes they have planned will help deliver a raft of benefits for patients, local people and staff. We are also supporting them to help spread good practice across the wider NHS and social care community.”
The money, which covers the year 2015/16, is being drawn from a national £200 million NHS transformation fund.
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