Shifting the centre of gravity: Making place-based, person-centred health and care a reality
A vision for a community-based preventative service which supports people to stay healthy and independent for as long as possible
A coalition of health and social care organisations has set out a refreshed commitment to transforming health, care and wellbeing services to improve people’s health and care.
The report has seen the NHS Confederation join forces with the Local Government Association, NHS Clinical Commissioners, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the Association of Directors of Public Health and NHS Providers.
It builds on the publication two years ago of Stepping up to the place, which stressed the importance of care that is centred on people’s specific needs – with organisations and communities working together in a coordinated way to meet them.
The new report brings together the key elements of a successful integrated health and care system, and looks to identify how local systems can achieve the important shift towards place-based care.
It is hoped this report will help to set out a vision for a community-based preventative service which supports people to stay healthy and independent for as long as possible.
It recommends that the focus of transformation should be on:
- Delivering care focused on the individual in or close to their homes with a focus on self-care and community engagement, so that people can lead healthier, more independent and fulfilled lives.
- A population health focus, preventing poor health and reducing health inequalities by mobilising all the assets of organisations across a place to help people lead healthier, happier lives with less need to access health and care services.
These elements form the basis of a national vision for transformation, which is outlined as:
- Every individual who uses a health or care service is able to say it was delivered in the right place and in a timely, joined-up way which respected their dignity.
- Organisations working together to turn the tide of poor health so individuals, and communities become healthier, health inequalities are reduced and there is less demand on health and care services.
- Making a success of integration through creating a collaborative culture among organisations involved in health, care and wellbeing.
- Leaders working effectively across health and care to drive transformation.
