Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust has joined an international health and care initiative, to share learning during the covid-19 pandemic.

As a leading provider of community health services, the Care Trust was invited to bring a UK-perspective to a virtual Home Care Village Gathering event.

The initiative brings together health and care providers across the globe to look at the lessons so far during covid-19, service innovation, and the pandemic’s impact on services across community care settings.

The Care Trust showcased joint work delivered with voluntary, community and care providers across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, as part of local provider alliances, to ensure more joined-up care for local communities.

New initiatives that have been developed in response to the pandemic include a dedicated, multi-disciplinary home visiting team for adults who are symptomatic or diagnosed with covid-19. The team brings together out-of-hours district nurses and other core Trust services, like the immunisation and vaccination team, to support people at home.

Alongside this, a new covid-19 out-of-hospital multi-disciplinary team supports people with complex and escalating needs when they are discharged from hospital. The team brings together social and community care staff, to provide follow-up reviews and additional support if needed, so that people can stay well at home and avoid hospital readmission.

Care Trust chair, Cathy Elliott, who attended the virtual gathering, said: “The home and community care sector has experienced unique challenges during the pandemic but it has accelerated our collaborative working with community partners, rapidly developing new services to better meet people’s needs.  The virtual event was an opportunity to share the great work across the Bradford and Airedale localities that’s been recognised by our international peers, and hear how other countries are meeting similar challenges, as we move to the next phase of managing the global pandemic.”