Day: May 8, 2019

City consults on ‘new vision’ for health and social care

 ” … right care, at the right time, in the right place” – Cllr Ricky Henderson, Chair of Edinburgh Integration Joint Board.

Edinburgh Residents are being asked to comment on a “bold new vision” for way the city delivers health and social care services. The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board has launched an online consultation as it seeks feedback on its new draft Strategic Plan.

The high-level vision – which intends to rapidly influence the way services are delivered by the NHS and City of Edinburgh Council – proposes the creation of a bespoke ‘Edinburgh Model’ for collaborative health and social care, placing Edinburgh’s communities and citizens at its heart.

Developed in collaboration with patients and their families, voluntary groups and care workers, the draft plan seeks to tackle inequality and concentrate resources at a local community level rather than in hospital settings.

Through a range of measures, the strategy intends to create the right conditions for the EIJB’s existing systems to evolve over the next three years and beyond so that it can provide the city with a “radically more modern, inclusive and sustainable offering”.

Residents are being asked to what extent they agree with the vision and its aspirations which include developing a:

  • Person centred, patient first and ‘home first’ approach, working towards shifting the balance of care from acute services to the community through a change programme
  • Refreshed Edinburgh Offer, using a Three Conversations Model to support prevention and early intervention
  • Motivated, skilled and balanced workforce and an enhanced partnership with the voluntary and independent sectors to continue to tackle inequality
  • Care supported by the latest technology and a culture of continuous improvement, fostered by greater use of data and performance management
  • Working with the strengths of citizens and communities to make sure that age, disability, or health conditions are not barriers to living a safe and thriving life in Edinburgh.

Chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, Ricky Henderson, said: “At its heart, the strategic plan sets out our desire to support people to be well at home, and in their community, for as long as possible. Providing first class acute hospital care only when medical intervention is needed, and the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

“Age, disability or health conditions should not stop people living a safe and good life and so our approach aims to work with individuals and their carers to see what matters most to them and support them to reach their goals. Everyone also deserves to live as comfortably and independently as they can, and by working towards a ‘home first’ method, we hope to empower people and communities to make these choices where they can.

“To do this, we need input from everyone who is touched by health and social care services in Edinburgh and we need to work collaboratively with our partners to optimise available resources. I urge people to take part in the consultation and have their say.”

How can I take part in the consultation?

You can take part online through the consultation hub. A number of specific drop in events will also take place with staff, members of the third sector and EIJB stakeholders.

 

What is a ‘three conversation’ model’?

The Three Conversations Model is proving successful as an approach to health and social care and is expanding fast.

The conventional approach to care triages people, attempts to divert and connect the level of support required, and then too often makes people wait for an ‘assessment for services’.

To move away from the idea that the task is to process people, complete unwieldy documents and presume the need for formal services, the Three Conversations Model offers three clear and precise ways of interacting with people that focus on what matters to them.

It is a radically different approach which recognises the power of connecting people to the strengths and assets of community networks, and the necessity to work dynamically with people in crisis. It is focused on improving the experience of people and families needing support, and in so doing, improving the satisfaction, fulfilment and effectiveness of those working in the sector, whether they be health care professionals, volunteers or carers.

The Three Conversations Model not only improves the experience of service users but is popular with those working in the sector and can lead to a significant reduction in recurring funded support.

What is the Edinburgh Model?

Essentially, we believe people are experts in their own lives, so our aim is to work with individuals and their carers to identify what matters most to them and support them to reach their potential.

We will introduce the Edinburgh offer to redefine the services and support that we offer to Edinburgh’s people. It will concentrate on supporting and enabling people to be as independent as possible.

We will engage our citizens in a more active and collaborative way. People who find themselves needing our support will know how to engage with us and realistically what to expect from that relationship.

It will be an explicit statement of our intent and mutual expectations, with greater definition on the kind of contract we wish to have with Edinburgh’s citizens.

What is a ‘home first’ approach?

Under a Home First approach, Integration Joint Board staff would work closely with colleagues in the community and in social care to plan for a patient to return home from the first day they arrive.

Some patients may not need any help when they get home, but for those who do, Home First would make sure the right support is in place. Patients would be seen at home within hours and receive an assessment by a Home First Team, made up of community nurses, therapists and social care professionals.

Every patient would have a personal care plan and this may include therapy, goals, support for carers, any equipment they may need and self-help advice. It helps patients to get home quicker and helps them to lead independent lives, with the support they need.