NHS Newark and Sherwood Clinical Commissioning Group is embarking on an innovative programme designed to improve care for people with long-term conditions, including older people and those with cancer. Working with partners including Macmillan Cancer Support, Sherwood Forest Hospitals, County Health Partnerships and Nottinghamshire County Council, PRISM will deliver patient-centred, joined up care for patients in their own homes.
Currently, there are over 35,000 patients in Newark and Sherwood living with one or more long-term condition, and care is currently focused on treating individual conditions, rather than the patient as a whole. This means that patients may be under the care of two, three or four different services or teams.
Lisa Green, Assistant Chief Operating Officer for NHS Newark and Sherwood said: “Long term conditions currently account for over 50% of all GP consultations and over 70% of inpatient bed stays. Last year, we saw 6000 emergency admissions to hospital for our over 65 population and these figures are set to rise with the increasingly elderly population in Newark and Sherwood. PRISM provides us with an opportunity to really look at the care we provide, and we will be investing in additional health and social care professionals to work together to deliver the best outcomes for our patients.”
PRISM joins up key primary care, community, mental health and social care services into local Integrated Care Teams to provide care to support people with long-term conditions, the frail elderly and people with cancer in their own homes. It will deliver services where patients need them and make access available seven days a week. Specialist teams from community services, hospitals and third sector organisations will provide additional support when needed.
Dr Kate Jack, Clinical Champion for Integrated Care, and local GP said; “PRISM is an exciting and ambitious programme which will truly place the patient at the heart of services in Newark and Sherwood. Partners are working together to create a sustainable system to ensure that we can deliver first class care in the future. Working as part of the Integrated Care teams will ensure that my patients receive the most appropriate care, from the most appropriate person.”