The Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Complex Care team has been shortlisted for a prestigious Nursing Times award, in the ‘HRH The Prince of Wales Award for Integrated Approaches to Care’ category.

The team was commissioned as a one year project from April 2016, and was subsequently re-commissioned for an additional two years. It is a partnership of health, social care and voluntary sector professionals, all coming together to provide care that is bespoke to each person’s individual needs.

It includes professionals from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, Yordales Health (a federation of local GPs), the Bradford and Craven and North Yorkshire branches of Age UK, Carers Resource, Bradford Council and North Yorkshire County Council.  Unique to this team are personal and carer support navigators who work closely with individuals to provide support and help connect them with activities in their community.

The team works alongside patients with multiple long-term health conditions who are highly dependent on health services and frequently use emergency care.  The team also support carers and families, and aim to reduce unplanned admissions to hospital by providing more proactive, co-ordinated and planned care.

Helen Cowley, Team Leader for the Complex Care Team, said: “Our aim is to support people with complex care needs to improve their wellbeing and look after their own health better by giving them advice, the confidence, and skills so they can make informed decisions about their care and live more independently. Goals are identified by the individual and the care is planned, co-ordinated and proactive. All partners have shared outcomes and a close integrated working relationship.”

The team’s vision is to create joined up community and hospital services which place patients at the centre of making decisions about their care so they can enjoy healthier lives with greater independence.

The team has already supported over 200 patients, demonstrating positive outcomes and improved individuals experiences. Comments from people who have used the service include:

“It’s like they gave me a walking stick to help me move forward.”

“The team has helped to keep me out of hospital – I hated going to hospital.”

“Make the connection between physical and mental health.”

The judges have already commended those shortlisted this year due to the number of very high quality entries received in this year’s awards.

The team now have to prepare a presentation to the judging panel on 13 September and all finalists are invited to the final awards evening on 2 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London where the winners will be announced.

 

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