Service Transformation
We are always looking at ways to improve our services so that they are more accessible, effective, and efficient.
Here are some of the projects we have recently launched to improve how we delivery our services to the community.
The NHS Long Term Plan includes a commitment to transforming mental health care by 2024, so more people can access treatment when they need it.
We’re working with GPs, hospitals, social care, volunteering, and patients and their families, to improve services for people with significant mental illnesses.
Read more about the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme (opens in new browser tab)
We've created a Friends, Family and Carers Charter which sets out our pledge to promote a culture that makes it easier for carers to work in partnership with our services. This includes engaging with carers to learn from their experiences and use these insights to improve our services.
Find out more about our Carers Charter (opens new browser tab)
Our Green Plan details how we will reduce, offset, and/or capture and store the carbon emissions that we have direct control over, and influence areas that we don’t have direct control over through our procurement processes and policies.
It is a pathway strategy and starts our drive to decarbonise all our operational activities and strategic decision making. Its implementation will affect all aspect of clinical and non-clinical activities, ensuring that we’re providing healthcare services that are sustainable and that are not contributing to environmental damage, which in turn will improve the health and wellbeing of our staff, patients, and local community.
Neurodiversity is a viewpoint that brain differences are normal and to be expected rather than a deficit. Society is generally designed for neurotypical people, which creates challenges for those who think, understand, and experience the world differently.
Neurodivergence includes attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurological conditions. The main focus of the neurodiversity strategy will be on autism and ADHD, but it is certainly not limited to these conditions.
Our neurodiversity strategy is driven by the view that every human being should be supported to live a happy, healthy life and to live and work safely with acceptance, understanding and compassion.
Read more about our Neurodiversity Strategy (opens in new browser tab)
The Virtual Frailty Ward supports people to stay healthy, independent, and remain at home as they grow older. Referral to the service is available to people aged over 18 regarded as frail. This may not be age related, but due to the onset of illness
The service provides the same treatment and care you’d receive in hospital, whether you live at home or in a care home.
Referral to the Virtual Frailty Ward is via the Urgent Community Response (UCR) service. GPs and paramedics are some of the professionals that can refer to the service. The UCR provides rapid acute level clinical treatment and interventions in people’s home or care home, safely and conveniently, reducing the need for an unplanned hospital visit.
The Virtual Frailty Ward is led by a consultant geriatrician. While under the care of the Virtual Frailty Ward you can expect a daily home visit from a healthcare professional until you’re discharged back to the care of your GP – usually within a few days.
Providing care at home improves and reduces recovery time, minimises the risk of hospital-acquired infections, and often results in a better patient experience. It can also remove obstacles to discharge, such as onward referrals and support which can unnecessarily prolong hospital stays.
Services like the Virtual Frailty Ward and UCR also benefit other NHS services, such as ambulance and Accident and Emergency, as they help alleviate the pressure on them.
Read more about Virtual Wards on the UCR service page (opens new browser tab)