Press Release on Transforming Cornwall’s Health and Social Care Provision
Press Release on Transforming Cornwall’s Health and Social Care Provision including how the public can have a say.
For some initial thoughts from Councillor Sue James, including how this could affect Edward Hain read her blogs Views on the Outline Business Case which includes a link to the 84 page document and Cornwall’s Sustainability and Transformation Plan is Leaving the Station.
PRESS STATEMENT
Preventing ill health and more care at home are at the heart of health and social care plans for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Health and care organisations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have published today their outline proposals for service transformation over the next five years.
The local Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) is a response to the NHS England Five Year Forward View and Devolution Deal for Cornwall to achieve three aims:
- Improve the health and wellbeing of the local population.
- Improve the quality of local health and care services.
- Deliver financial stability in the local health and care system.
The Transformation Board which is made up of all the leaders from the major public sector health and care organisations is engaging with clinicians, practitioners, stakeholders and most importantly citizens to shape future services.
In the latest plans (Draft Outline Business Case), health and care leaders set out the priorities, principles and actions for the next five years and seek the views of the local population on the work so far.
From Monday 28 November until Friday 20 January, citizens will have a chance to have their say on the local draft plans through a survey or series of community events. Following this period of engagement, detailed plans will be developed with consultation on any major service changes taking place from the summer 2017.
The focus within the latest STP document is on preventing ill health and providing as much care as possible at home or in the community. At the moment care is too reactive, not achieving best outcomes and based on an expensive hospital based model that is now outdated.
On preventing ill health, we know that today 5 lifestyle behaviours – alcohol, smoking, physical inactivity, diet and social isolation – contribute to 5 diseases which cause 75% of premature death and disability. In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly too many of us are not living well and 20% of NHS costs are associated with these harmful lifestyle behaviours.
We also know that we need to provide more care at home. Right now around 60 people each day are staying in a bed at Royal Cornwall Hospitals and they don’t need to be there. 35% of community hospital bed days are being used by people who are fit to leave. A third of people in a community hospital or nursing/residential care are not in an appropriate place. Much of this is because we have our resources and money in the wrong place and sadly this is affecting older people the most.
Phil Confue, Senior Responsible Officer for the Sustainability and Transformation Plan and Chief Executive of the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust says: “In the next five years, we have a once in a generation opportunity to change the way we provide health and social care services for the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
“The current health and social care system needs reform and we must seize the moment. Lifestyles, communities and technology have changed and our approach has become outdated, fragmented and reactive. Local services must adapt to meet the needs of the current and future population – including those who visit our region each year. We must put more focus and resources into preventing ill health, keeping people in their homes or communities and adapting services for a growing, ageing and technology enabled population.
“We want to continue to involve the local community in developing the solutions in the months ahead and we want to hear from as many people as possible on the priorities and approach we are taking. The time and opportunity has come to take control and shape our own future.”
To read more about the local health and social care plans and all the related documents, including survey and community engagement events visit:https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/shapethefuture