NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly event showcases ‘Caring where it matters’

Caring where it matters was the theme of an NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly event and Annual General Meeting in Wadebridge last week (Friday 6 September).

Stakeholders were invited to hear the Integrated Care Board’s priorities for the year, set out by the Chair, John Govett and Chief Executive Officer, Kate Shields and hear firsthand from the people delivering the priorities across local health and care services, including:

• Cornwall’s community health and wellbeing workers, an innovative project that is supporting local people who are facing health inequalities. This project is a finalist for a prestigious national award
• how Brave AI technology is being used to identify and reduce the risk of people being admitted to hospital in Cornwall
• an overview of the Lostwithiel dental contract pilot which is enabling children and the most vulnerable patients to access an NHS dentist
• how mobile X-ray cars are assessing and treating people who fall in their home or care home
• how more than 30 organisations are working together to tackle health inequalities through the new Launceston health hub
• an overview of the new Healthier Together campaign and summer wellbeing festivals providing preventative health and wellbeing advice and support for local people 
• how we are turning the tide on diabetes
• the collaborative People in Mind service which is supporting local people to receive a holistic approach for their mental health
• learning how Same Day Assessment Centres are seeing and treating people, reducing the need for hospital stays
• the inspiring ‘string of green pearls‘ projects growing all over Cornwall to provide green and natural spaces for staff and patients to enjoy and benefit from

An interactive workshop followed to involve professionals, partners and stakeholders from across the integrated care system in shaping future health and care priorities and plans that will help ensure residents of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can start well, live well and age well.

The remainder of the afternoon played host to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Integrated Care Board, with board members reflecting on a challenging but impactful year.

A film was shown featuring John Govett and Kate Shields, summarising the year in review. 

The Board received details of how the overall health budget for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly was used last year to support our local communities, and confirmation that the Integrated Care Board broke even again, as well as our annual report which is available to view on the NHS Cornwall website.

John Govett, Chair of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said:

“At our event this year we have been getting back to what is truly important: our people and communities.

“Our traditional structures funnel patients away from home and their loved ones and into acute hospitals, which provides exceptional care for so many people but just doesn’t suit everyone’s needs. That’s why we’re changing that and focusing on caring where it matters, according to people’s needs.

“At our event and AGM, we have heard about the exceptional work taking place across our integrated care system to make this a reality for our residents. I’m pleased to see so many attendees from our partners and stakeholders enjoy the day, really engaging with the content and each other.”

Kate Shields, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said: 

“Since the Integrated Care Board was set up in July 2022, we have made great strides in working together across our integrated care system.

“This has been recognised regionally and nationally, most recently through an NHS Parliamentary Award win for the innovative ways we work together, through the set up and delivery of our network of community hubs, the community gateway service, and supporting people home from hospital.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took time out of a busy schedule to come along and make it a very worthwhile day. We truly are a team of teams across NHS providers, primary care, our local council, and our tremendous community and voluntary sector.”