Jo Parker, Author at Here https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/author/joparker/ Rated Outstanding by the CQC Thu, 05 Dec 2024 17:08:44 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://hereweare.org.uk/app/uploads/2024/03/cropped-Here_favicon-32x32.png Jo Parker, Author at Here https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/author/joparker/ 32 32 Congratulations Aaron Salter: Hospice UK’s Digital Champion Award winner 2024 https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/digital-champion-award-2024/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/digital-champion-award-2024/#respond Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:23:01 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=15962 As a social enterprise dedicated to transforming healthcare through data analytics, we are thrilled to share the inspiring story of Aaron Salter, winner of the Digital Champion Award at the Hospice UK Conference 2024.

The post Congratulations Aaron Salter: Hospice UK’s Digital Champion Award winner 2024 appeared first on Here.

]]>

Congratulations Aaron Salter: Hospice UK’s Digital Champion Award winner 2024

Matthew Riley - a man wearing glasses, a grey suit jacket and blue jacket is stood smiling. Next to him stand a man with dark hair and a blue suit holding the Hospice UK Digital Champion Award

We are delighted to share the inspiring story of Aaron Salter from Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent, winner of the Digital Champion Award at the Hospice UK Conference 2024. His remarkable work exemplifies the power of digital innovation in transforming healthcare delivery.

A milestone of digital transformation

As a social enterprise dedicated to supporting other healthcare organisations use data and analytics, we were proud to sponsor an award that celebrates individuals driving meaningful change in hospice care. Aaron’s recognition is not just a personal achievement but an inspiration for how technology can revolutionise patient care.

The challenge: Fragmented data, fragmented care

In 2022, Pilgrims Hospices faced a real challenge: inconsistent data collection and reporting across their three Inpatient Units (IPUs). This variability created significant obstacles:

  • Difficulty in making informed decisions about patient care
  • Challenges in identifying and addressing performance disparities
  • Limited ability to ensure uniform, high-quality care across different sites

Aaron’s innovative approach

Recognising the transformative potential of data, Aaron embarked on a mission to standardise and enhance data management. The Digital Champion Award criteria perfectly captured his journey:

  1. Problem identification: Addressing data inconsistency and its impact on care quality
  2. Technological solution: Implementing a unified data collection and reporting framework
  3. Organisational innovation: Creating a replicable model for data-driven healthcare
  4. Stakeholder engagement: Collaborating across teams to drive meaningful change
  5. Measurable impact: Demonstrating the potential for scalable, improved patient care

Why this matters

In the realm of hospice and palliative care, every piece of data represents someone’s life and story. Aaron’s work goes beyond numbers, it’s about ensuring that every patient receives personalised, high-quality care that respects their unique journey.

His achievement reinforces our belief that technology, when thoughtfully applied, can be a powerful tool for compassionate healthcare. Congratulations, Aaron Salter – a true Digital Champion who is redefining what’s possible in hospice care.

Reflections from Matthew Riley, Head of Informatics at Here

The conference highlighted a critical challenge facing hospices: the pressing need to demonstrate their value within the healthcare ecosystem to secure sustainable NHS funding. With direct cost pressures mounting, it’s becoming increasingly clear that traditional charitable funding may not be sufficient to support hospices in the long term without innovative strategies.

In the current constrained commissioning landscape, data has emerged as a powerful tool for validation. As one presenter succinctly noted, “commissioners will pay for what they can measure.” This insight has prompted a promising collaborative approach among hospices, who are now pooling their data—often aligned with Integrated Care Board (ICB) geographical boundaries—to illustrate their collective impact.

This collaborative data-sharing represents an exciting and progressive development for the hospice sector. By aggregating and presenting comprehensive evidence of their contributions, hospices are positioning themselves to make a compelling case for continued and potentially expanded NHS support. In an era of increasing financial scrutiny, robust and meaningful data will be more crucial than ever in securing the resources necessary to maintain and enhance hospice services.

 

This award is about celebrating the people who make technology happen. Digital innovation in any healthcare environment is really hard, and it doesn’t matter how brilliant the technology is; it will only work when you have amazing people to make it work. That is why ‘Here’ are delighted to sponsor this award.

Photo of Matthew Riley, a white man wearing a button up shirt, glasses and smiling

The essential role of hospices and the need for public support

Hospices provide vital care and support to children and adults living with long-term illnesses or approaching the end of their lives.

In 2022-23, hospices across the UK provided palliative and end of life care to 300,000 and provided direct support services to 60,000 family members, friends and carers.

It costs £1.6 billion each year to run the hospices in the UK.

Hospices raise over £1.1 billion of this through fundraising, and less than £0.5 billion comes from government funding.

Hospices do incredible work but they can’t do it without support. To find out about the different ways you could support Hospice UK you can find details on their website.

Hospice UK Logo

 

You can find more information on how we are working with hospices in our blogs:

 

How can Here help hospices enhance their impact with data? – Here

Why do we want to work with hospices? – Here

 

 

 

If you’d like to explore how we can help your hospice, we’d love to have a conversation.

To get in touch email: matthew.riley@nhs.net

Also of interest

How can Here help hospices enhance their impact with data?

How can Here help hospices enhance their impact with data?

Our goal isn’t to outsource your data function; it’s to build a partnership where we work alongside you, helping your hospice maximise its impact through effective data use. We aim to empower your team to focus on what really matters: understanding your service outcomes and making informed decisions about where improvements can be made.

read more

The post Congratulations Aaron Salter: Hospice UK’s Digital Champion Award winner 2024 appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/digital-champion-award-2024/feed/ 0
Announcing the launch of our new MSK service https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/launch-of-new-msk-service/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/launch-of-new-msk-service/#respond Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:45:36 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=15924 We’re delighted to announce the launch of Sussex MSK Health Brighton & Hove and West Sussex, our new Musculoskeletal (MSK) service, starting 2nd December 2024.

The post Announcing the launch of our new MSK service appeared first on Here.

]]>

Announcing the launch of our new MSK service

Sussex MSK Health Brighton and Hove and West Sussex - NHS logo

We are delighted to announce the launch of Sussex MSK Health Brighton & Hove and West Sussex, our brand-new Musculoskeletal (MSK) service, which officially begins today – 2nd December 2024.

This launch marks a new chapter in delivering joined-up, person-centred care. Together with our partners Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT), we’re building on over 10 years of expertise in designing and delivering innovative long-term conditions services, including CQC outstanding MSK care. 

Image of a woman with her foot on a practitioners knee receiving MSK treatment

A new era of integrated care

The new community service covers Brighton & Hove and West Sussex, replacing Sussex MSK Partnership Central (SMSKPC), University Hospitals Sussex (UHSussex) and Coastal Sussex Integrated MSK Service (CSIMS).

 

Key highlights of our approach 

  • Integrated care pathways: We connect primary, community, and secondary care, creating seamless experiences for orthopaedics, pain management, and rheumatology. 
  • Patient-first design: Our care begins with meaningful “what matters to you” conversations, empowering people to make informed decisions about their health. 
  • Equitable access: From digital self-management tools to flexible in-person and virtual appointments, our service adapts to meet diverse needs. 
  • Improving outcomes: Focusing on reducing health inequalities, we ensure timely, high-quality care for all. 

 

What sets us apart 

  • 10+ Years of quality: Building on a decade of pioneering MSK care, we have consistently delivered high-quality, patient-centred outcomes. 
  • Collaborative innovation: Our partnership with SCFT exemplifies integrated working across the NHS and beyond. 
  • Ambitious vision: This service is part of a five-year transformation programme, aligning with Sussex’s health strategy, Improving Lives Together.

 

Why it matters 

Musculoskeletal conditions are one of the most common long-term conditions in the UK. Affecting one in three people and significantly impacting their quality of life and independence.

As specialists in long-term condition care, we understand the importance of creating services that are easy to navigate, responsive, and effective at supporting people to live well. 

We’re proud to be shaping the future of MSK care, ensuring that everyone in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex has access to exceptional, personalised support. 

To learn more about our approach and the impact we’re making, visit Community MSK Services in Sussex – Here

Also of interest

Reflecting on a decade of impact: A farewell to Sussex MSK Partnership Central

Reflecting on a decade of impact: A farewell to Sussex MSK Partnership Central

As we approach the conclusion of the Sussex MSK Partnership Central (SMSKPC) service, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the extraordinary journey we’ve shared. Over the past decade, this partnership has been more than a service – it’s been a community, a purpose, and a shared commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives.

read more

The post Announcing the launch of our new MSK service appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/launch-of-new-msk-service/feed/ 0
Reflecting on a decade of impact: A farewell to Sussex MSK Partnership Central https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/farewell-sussex-msk-partnership-central/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/farewell-sussex-msk-partnership-central/#respond Fri, 29 Nov 2024 09:18:42 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=15800 As we approach the conclusion of the Sussex MSK Partnership Central (SMSKPC) service, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the extraordinary journey we’ve shared. Over the past decade, this partnership has been more than a service - it’s been a community, a purpose, and a shared commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives.

The post Reflecting on a decade of impact: A farewell to Sussex MSK Partnership Central appeared first on Here.

]]>

Reflecting on a decade of impact: A farewell to Sussex MSK Partnership Central

Sussex MSK Partnership Central

As we approach the conclusion of the Sussex MSK Partnership Central (SMSKPC) service, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the extraordinary journey we’ve shared.

Over the past decade, this partnership has been more than a service – it’s been a community, a purpose, and a shared commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives.

One woman with long blonde hair is laughing with another woman with dark hair tied up and with the sides of her head shaved wearing glasses

To mark this special occasion, we’ve created a series of videos that highlight the many achievements of SMSKPC and the incredible people who’ve made it all possible. Each focuses on a key aspect of our journey, showcasing the impact and the values that have defined our partnership.

Celebrating 10 years together 

Our first video takes us back to May 2024, when we celebrated ten years of SMSKPC at our annual conference. This event marked a special moment for us – a chance to look back on all that’s been achieved, and to recognise the people who’ve made it possible. 

Over the past decade, it’s been our team’s commitment and shared purpose that have shaped our success, and May’s celebration was a reminder of just how much we’ve accomplished together.

Making an Impact Person to Person 

This video shines a light on the tangible difference our service has made to people and our communities – it’s the personal connections that have been at the heart of everything we do.

Showcasing the positive feedback and gratitude of those who’ve benefited from our service, these stories of care and support truly bring our partnership’s impact to life.

Living Our Values 

It’s the culture that has defined our servicea culture built on strong relationships, shared values, and a deep commitment to patient care. The camaraderie, teamwork, and dedication of our team highlight the connections that have shaped our partnership and made it more than just a service, but a community. 

From the kindness shown in small gestures and moments of support to the collaborative efforts that have made a big differenceand the friendships formed along the waythis video is a chance to honour everyone who has contributed to delivering SMSKPC.

Each individual’s hard work, passion, and care have made this service possible.

A celebration of togetherness 

As SMSKPC comes to a close, this series is our way of looking back with pride and gratitude. We’ve come so far over the last 10 years, and it’s all thanks to the incredible individuals hard work, passion, and care have made our service possible. Together, we’ve built something truly special.

We hope our work inspires others to see the power of community, the importance of shared purpose, and the enduring impact of truly personalised care.

Thank you to everyone involved in being part of this incredible story. 

Stay tuned as we celebrate this final chapter of the Sussex MSK Partnership Central journey and say hello to MSK Health.

Two people sat at desks in a sports hall at laptops looking over their shoulders and smiling
SMSKPC team out walking on an away day
A man with dark hair smiling stood behind two women sitting down, one with dark hair and glasses, the other with long blonde hair

SMSKP ten year timeline

Journey through our memorable moments and key innovations from the past ten years ​to find out more about the development and transformation of SMSKP.

 
2014

Partnership forms

Here created a delivery partnership with Sussex Community Foundation Trust as prime contract holder for MSK

Collaboration

Drawing on strengths of expertise from across the system. Building networks across primary, secondary care the voluntary sector

Culture

Bringing teams together to create their own shared values – together we strive for human and unhurried care.

2015

We were the first organisation to recruit a Patient Director, putting the lived experience voice front and centre of the service. This has now evolved into our Health Builders Programme.

Personalisation

As one of the first services to create Personalised Care Leads we can evidence that seeing truly personalised care leads to better outcomes, better use of resources and saves the health system money

2016

Started addressing letters to patients ​rather than clinicians to ensure ​information is understandable, jargon ​free and supporting the “no decision ​about me, without me” approach

2018

Reached 7% reduction in referrals to ​secondary care, whilst ensuring quick ​access times within the community and ​supporting people to self manage

Quality

Safe, high standard care for patients is enshrined in all we do. We deliver at scale, a complex service, over 10 locations alongside over 200 colleagues

2019

Rated CQC outstanding

Won HSJ Partnership award

Regulated by Care Quality Commission
2020 - 2021

Proactively redirected MSK resource to ​support the urgent and non-elective ​COVID-19 response

2022

Publish The CASE For Change, Creating and Sustaining Excellence in MSK Care

2023

Data

Our decisions are data led. Using our award winning suite of data analytics for optimal resource management and meaningful future planning

Community

We work alongside communities, using our data systems to find underserved groups, we proactively seek to understand how we can meet their needs

Co-creation

Our network of paid and volunteer ​Health Builders – people with lived ​experience – work with us at every level ​of our governance structure and in ​service design and delivery

Vision

We see a future where community powered, personalised MSK care is standard, where seeing the whole person means we provide human and unhurried care for everyone and by doing so, facilitate better outcomes for patients, staff and our community

The post Reflecting on a decade of impact: A farewell to Sussex MSK Partnership Central appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/farewell-sussex-msk-partnership-central/feed/ 0
Proud sponsors of the Hospice UK Digital Champion Award https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/hospice-uk-digital-champion-award/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/hospice-uk-digital-champion-award/#respond Mon, 11 Nov 2024 11:44:59 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=15678 We are proud to announce we will be supporting Hospice UK and their awards conference, celebrating the brilliant talent of the sector. It is our great pleasure to be sponsoring the Digital Champion Award.

The post Proud sponsors of the Hospice UK Digital Champion Award appeared first on Here.

]]>

Proud sponsors of the Hospice UK Digital Champion Award

Photo of a large number of people sat at a conference - Hospice UK

We are proud to announce we will be supporting Hospice UK and their awards conference, celebrating the brilliant talent of the sector.

 

It is our great pleasure to be sponsoring the Digital Champion Award!

The award recognises the work of an individual who has passionately promoted the use of technology or digital ways of working in a hospice or palliative care organisation.

Entries were of a high standard and Matthew Riley will be presenting the award on Day 2 of their Annual Conference held in Glasgow this November. 

Photo of Matthew Riley, a white man wearing a button up shirt, glasses and smiling

About the award

This award celebrates individuals that have encouraged and supported others to use technology or digital tools and techniques to:

  • Identify or better understand and/or solve a problem (or be progressing towards solving a problem).
  • Improve quality or efficiency
  • Reduce barriers and improve access

The technology or digital tools and techniques they have used don’t need to be cutting edge, but how they were used may be innovative for your organisation.

The essential role of hospices and the need for public support

Hospices provide vital care and support to children and adults living with long-term illnesses or approaching the end of their lives.

In 2022-23, hospices across the UK provided palliative and end of life care to 300,000 and provided direct support services to 60,000 family members, friends and carers.

It costs £1.6 billion each year to run the hospices in the UK.

Hospices raise over £1.1 billion of this through fundraising, and less than £0.5 billion comes from government funding.

Hospices do incredible work but they can’t do it without support. To find out about the different ways you could support Hospice UK you can find details on their website.

 

You can find more information on how we are working with hospices in our blogs:

 

How can Here help hospices enhance their impact with data? – Here

Why do we want to work with hospices? – Here

 

 

 

If you’d like to discuss working together with us we’d love to hear from you.

 

Email: collab@hereweare.org.uk

Also of interest

How can Here help hospices enhance their impact with data?

How can Here help hospices enhance their impact with data?

Our goal isn’t to outsource your data function; it’s to build a partnership where we work alongside you, helping your hospice maximise its impact through effective data use. We aim to empower your team to focus on what really matters: understanding your service outcomes and making informed decisions about where improvements can be made.

read more

The post Proud sponsors of the Hospice UK Digital Champion Award appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/hospice-uk-digital-champion-award/feed/ 0
New Musculoskeletal service set to transform care for patients in Sussex https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/new-musculoskeletal-service-sussex/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/new-musculoskeletal-service-sussex/#respond Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:45:43 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=15647 New Musculoskeletal service set to transform care for patients in Sussex

The post New Musculoskeletal service set to transform care for patients in Sussex appeared first on Here.

]]>

New Musculoskeletal service set to transform care for patients in Sussex

Image of a woman with her foot on a practitioners knee receiving MSK treatment

New Musculoskeletal service set to transform care for patients in Sussex

 

“We are delighted to be awarded this contract along with SCFT as part of an innovative new Sussex MSK collaborative. Working closely with partners, professionals, patients, and our communities, this collaboration builds on our long-standing set of innovations that are leading the way nationally in how MSK healthcare is delivered. This marks another significant step on our journey to deliver exceptional care for those we serve. 

Our vision is to deliver the highest standards of patient care by providing equitable, personalised, and seamless services across the entire MSK pathway.” ~ Helen Curr, chief executive officer at Here.

 

Health and care partners across Sussex are delighted to announce that an innovative new Musculoskeletal (MSK) service is set to start for local people in December 2024.  

This is the culmination of four years of work and engagement with many stakeholders across the Sussex health and care system to design a transformed, integrated, MSK service for patients in Sussex.    

Following a robust procurement process, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, working alongside University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and Here, have been awarded a new contract to deliver MSK services in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove; and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, working alongside Horder Healthcare will cover East Sussex.  

The approach taken across Sussex is considered national best practice and is clear in its ambition to improve care and experience for local people.   

The new service will see a fully integrated MSK pathway across primary, community and secondary care for orthopaedics, pain and rheumatology, and include services such as physiotherapy, diagnostics, and surgical treatment.   

The new service will focus on improving access, experience, and outcomes for patients, with providers working together to ensure patients receive a consistent experience, feel supported throughout the whole pathway, and get the best treatment first time.   

Other planned improvements to Sussex MSK services, under this new contract, are: 

  • Better communication and information for patients to empower them to be in-charge of their own care and make informed choices about treatment options 
  • A more joined-up and coordinated care offering which breaks-down traditional barriers between organisations 
  • Streamlining access to care and advice: providing much more choice about how people can access care, and that services are available in their community when they need them 
  • Helping people to live and work well for longer and offer more personalised care, including supported self-management when they need it, via digital platforms   
  • A more concerted and systematic approach to reducing health inequalities and addressing variation in terms of access, waiting times and service provision.   
  • Offering a personalised model of delivery for outpatient appointments, including virtual appointments where clinically and personally appropriate (considering other factors relevant to the individual) and face-to-face appointments. 

The new service’s specification is fully aligned to Sussex’s five year health and care strategy, Improving Lives Together, by working to a new, joined-up, community-based approach to MSK care, by growing and developing the Sussex health and care workforce, by improving the use digital technology and information, and by maximising the power of partnership working across health and care organisations in Sussex.   

The specification and awarding of the successful bid were developed with a range of different partners, including patient representatives and Healthwatch. The service contract is worth around £41m per year of the contract – which is for five years, with the option of two additional years after the initial five.  

MSK conditions can affect joints, bones and muscles and sometimes associated tissues such as nerves. They can range from minor injuries to long-term conditions.

Over 20 million people in the UK, almost one third of the population, have a MSK condition such as arthritis or back pain.

Symptoms can include pain, stiffness, limited movement, and disability which affect quality of life and independence. 

In Sussex, MSK services are in high demand, so the new service is an important step for providing quality services for local people. For example, in 2019-20, over 172,000 referrals were made to MSK services, which resulted in 225,000 community appointments and 67,000 referrals on to secondary care.

Work is taking place at pace to implement changes which are required to develop the new service, which is due to go live on 1 December 2024.

Also of interest

Reflecting on a decade of impact: A farewell to Sussex MSK Partnership Central

Reflecting on a decade of impact: A farewell to Sussex MSK Partnership Central

As we approach the conclusion of the Sussex MSK Partnership Central (SMSKPC) service, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the extraordinary journey we’ve shared. Over the past decade, this partnership has been more than a service – it’s been a community, a purpose, and a shared commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives.

read more

The post New Musculoskeletal service set to transform care for patients in Sussex appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/new-musculoskeletal-service-sussex/feed/ 0
World Stroke Day 2024: Alasdair’s story of recovery https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/world-stroke-day-2024/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/world-stroke-day-2024/#respond Tue, 29 Oct 2024 07:00:20 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=15581 This World Stroke Day we wanted to share Alasdair’s story. In this video stroke survivor Alasdair and his wife Emma talk about their experience of what it was like to be invited to be a part of the Stroke Health and Wellbeing Service, and the difference this support had on Alasdair’s recovery to date.

The post World Stroke Day 2024: Alasdair’s story of recovery appeared first on Here.

]]>

World Stroke Day 2024: Alasdair’s story of recovery

Graphic rub out of an older man wearing glasses, talking to camera about his story as a stroke survivor

World Stroke Day 2024

 

This World Stroke Day we wanted to share Alasdair’s story. In this video stroke survivor Alasdair and his wife Emma talk about their experience of what it was like to be invited to be a part of the Stroke Health and Wellbeing Service, and the difference this support has had on Alasdair’s recovery to date.

Delivering care to stroke survivors

The Stroke Health and Wellbeing Service was a pilot project set up as part of the National Stroke Service Model to test new, innovative ways of delivering care to stroke survivors. Working in partnership with NHS Sussex, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England, Stroke Association, Headway Sussex, Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network.

You can learn more about the project on our service page – Stroke Care Pathway Design – Here

The project has now come to an end, but over the coming months we will be sharing more about this transformative pilot and its impact, showing what can be achieved through building strong, collaborative partnerships across the system, the role of Health Builders and the importance of including people with lived experience as a part of service design.

In the video above you’ll hear Alasdair talk about how much of an inspiration Shreddie, one of our Lead Health Builders was to him and his recovery. You can learn about Shreddie’s story in our case study – Health Builders, improving stroke services – Here

Photo of woman outside in a forest, wearing a waterproof and backpack smiling. Text reads: World Stroke Day Be #GreaterThan Stroke

Also of interest

Why have this evaluation of our CADs?

Why have this evaluation of our CADs?

Earlier this year we commissioned an evaluation of our Community Appointment Days. Laura Finucane, Clinical Director at Sussex MSK Partnership Central shares her reflections on the evaluation.

read more

The post World Stroke Day 2024: Alasdair’s story of recovery appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/world-stroke-day-2024/feed/ 0
Why have this evaluation of our CADs? https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/why-have-this-evaluation-of-our-cads/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/why-have-this-evaluation-of-our-cads/#respond Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:00:24 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=15399 Earlier this year we commissioned an evaluation of our Community Appointment Days. Laura Finucane, Clinical Director at Sussex MSK Partnership Central shares her reflections on the evaluation.

The post Why have this evaluation of our CADs? appeared first on Here.

]]>

Why have this evaluation of our CADs?

Graphic with a photo of Laura Finucane, a white woman with short bobbed hair, stood on a chair speaking to a big group of people at a Community Appointment Day

Earlier this year we commissioned an evaluation of our Community Appointment Days.

Laura Finucane, Clinical Director at Sussex MSK Partnership Central shares her reflections on the evaluation.

Why was it important to have this evaluation?  

When we commissioned this evaluation, our main goal was to get an independent and fresh perspective on what we had already observed. We needed an objective review to validate our findings and to dig deeper into the data – helping us to see what might have been overlooked.

Most importantly, we wanted to assess it all through the lens of health inequality, ensuring our work is truly making an impact where it’s needed most.  

The value of independent scrutiny  

One of the key purposes of this evaluation was to keep evolving. We wanted the data not only to validate what we were doing, but to inform and improve future Community Appointment Days (CADs), strengthening the overall offer.

This has been an invaluable process, continually shaping how we support our community. 

What have we learned?

A significant shift we’ve made is moving our health hub to the front of the patient journey. This simple change led to a dramatic increase in screening for blood pressure and diabetes – a real success in terms of uptake. But the evaluation also revealed some gaps, like the fact that many people weren’t engaging with the information provided. So, we’ve now placed extra resources on stewarding, helping guide people right from the front door.  

Data has become a powerful tool for us, highlighting areas that need further attention and helping us plan the next steps. We’re seeing the importance of exploring longitudinal data to understand long-term outcomes. And one key takeaway? Both people attending and staff have really valued the service, with many staff members appreciating the chance to step outside their usual routine and connect more deeply with people and colleagues.  

Importantly, this evaluation has paved the way for new initiatives, particularly in tackling health inequalities. We’re now focusing on reaching those who don’t typically engage with services, ensuring that our approach is as inclusive as possible. 

A woman wearing a dark coloured coat is stood at a desk talking to another woman wearing glasses who is sat down. They are in a sports hall at a Community Appointment Day

Applying our findings to future work  

Looking ahead, we’re keen to build on what we’ve learned. Our current model was developed with patients on waiting lists in mind, but our future plans aim to offer CADs as the first touchpoint in a person’s health journey with us. We believe this early intervention will help people understand what to expect and get the support they need sooner.  

We’re also strengthening our collaboration with the voluntary and community sector, ensuring our offer truly reflects the needs of our local population – and we’re using data to guide us every step of the way. 

Laura’s reflections on the project  

This project started with a bold vision in 2022, alongside Natalie Blunt, Managing Director of Sussex MSK Partnership Central.

We took a risk in trying something different, but with the focus on what matters most to people who access the service– staff thought we were a bit mad at first – but gradually, they came on board. Initially, there was a temptation to simply ‘lift and shift’ hospital services to the community, but we knew that wasn’t the right approach.

What we needed was a more radical change, and our staff fully embraced that challenge. 

The CAD continues to evolve, change and works because of the enthusiasm and dedication of the team. This has only been possible because of that commitment and the team effort. 

It was the culture of the organisation that allowed us to take those risks and pushed us to think outside the box. We were supported every step of the way.

For me, one of the biggest takeaways has been the sheer joy of working with our staff in such an engaging and inspiring way.

This journey has been full of learning, growth, and joy, and it’s something we’re all proud of.

You can read the Evaluation Summary or download the full Review and Evaluation document here.

Thank you to Kate Cheema, part of Kaleidoscope Health & Care, who undertook the analysis and evaluation of the data.

For us the report confirms that for many, this is a powerful way of linking the physical and social sides of health and gives us clear recommendations on how to develop both the CAD events and our data and evaluation work in the future. 


We hope it is useful to you too, feel free to get in touch with us at collab@hereweare.org.uk if you’d like to discuss collaborating with us. 

A younger white man wearing glasses, stood with his arms folded behind his back and smiling - he's stood in a sports hall at a Community Appointment Day
A sports hall where a Community Appointment Day is being held with seats laid out for people attending. The evaluation was commissioned to understand and learn from these events.

The post Why have this evaluation of our CADs? appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/why-have-this-evaluation-of-our-cads/feed/ 0
Community Appointment Days – Evaluation proves impact on MSK care https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/community-appointment-day-evaluation/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/community-appointment-day-evaluation/#respond Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:16:05 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=14817 We’re delighted to publish the Sussex MSK Partnership Community Appointment Days Evidence Review & Evaluation, and share our learnings.

The post Community Appointment Days – Evaluation proves impact on MSK care appeared first on Here.

]]>

Community Appointment Days – Evaluation proves impact on MSK care

Jamie Tulley

We’re delighted to publish the Sussex MSK Partnership Community Appointment Days Evidence Review & Evaluation, and share our learnings.

As a not-for-profit, we’re always focused on learning from our work and pushing to improve our services, ensuring exceptional care reaches everyone. This review highlights the tangible impact CADs are having on MSK care delivery and reveals key insights that will help us build on this progress. 


One of the standout successes of the initiative has been the rise in Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) rates. More than 50% of CAD attendees opted for this approach, a significant increase compared to the 12% seen in other services. Although national evidence on PIFU’s effectiveness is still emerging, these figures suggest that CADs are making a real difference in promoting long-term self-management.

An older man wearing a jacket and jeans is sat with his legs crossed talking to a younger black male clinician - who is listening and taking notes at a Community Appointment Day
A large number of staff stood in a sports hall at a Community Appointment Day listening to someone speaking

How are Community Appointment Days making a difference? 

  • Supporting self-care: Over 50% of patients who attended CADs were able to move to self-care after just one session, reducing the need for ongoing clinic visits. 
  • Boost in Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU): More than half of CAD attendees opted for PIFU, compared to just 12% in other services. This shows that patients are taking charge of their long-term care. 
  • Overwhelmingly positive feedback: Patients and staff alike have praised the expert advice, personalised care, and collaborative environment that CADs offer. 

Helping to manage waiting times 

Although CADs weren’t specifically designed to reduce waiting times, we’ve seen another benefit: they’ve helped us keep waiting lists stable, a big achievement given national trends of increasing backlogs. 

Read evaluation in full 

We’re excited to share these findings with you. You can download the complete Evaluation Review and Report and dive into all the details. 

If you’re thinking of starting your own Community Appointment Days, check out our Essential Ingredients guide for tips on how to get started.  

Curious about how CADs work? Read more in our blog series:

A group of four team members, one male, three female stand close together and smiling in a sports hall at a Community Appointment Day
Photo of a sports hall with a woman stood helping to direct people where they need to go, next to a banner that reads 'What Matters To You'

Evaluation overview

 

Support for self-management: 

  • CAD effectiveness: The initiative has significantly improved patient self-management, with over 50% discharged to self-care after just one CAD appointment. This suggests a reduction in the need for multiple follow-up appointments, potentially easing the burden on downstream clinics. 
  • PIFU outcomes: CAD patients had a much higher rate (over 50%) of Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) as an outcome compared to other services (12%). Although the evidence base for PIFU’s effectiveness is limited, the higher rate in CAD indicates a positive impact on long-term self-management.

Patient experience: 

  • Positive feedback: Patients reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, especially regarding face-to-face expert advice and personalised care. Despite some operational concerns like waiting times, patients felt involved and heard, meeting the initiative’s goal of enabling active participation in care.

Staff experience: 

  • Professional development: Staff enjoyed the CAD events, appreciating the opportunity to spend quality time with patients, understand their needs, and provide tailored advice. The collaborative environment also fostered a sense of collegiality. However, there were some negative comments about operational issues, such as workflow and IT challenges. 

Adoption and attendance: 

  • Good adoption: High conversion rates from invitations to attendance indicate strong adoption of CAD across different areas. However, attendance variations by age group suggest barriers for working-age adults, who may benefit from more advanced information and preparation. 

Exploration of broader health issues: 

  • Broader services: Feedback indicates that CAD attendees could explore broader issues affecting their musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions giving people the opportunity to access support from other health and wellbeing services.

Impact on equity: 

  • No perpetuation of inequalities: Analysis by age, gender, and deprivation suggests that the CAD initiative does not exacerbate inequalities. However, higher DNA (Did Not Attend) and cancellation rates among working-age adults indicate accessibility issues for this group. 

Waiting Times Impact:

Stable waiting times: The CAD initiative was not specifically designed to reduce waiting lists, but has shown a potential positive impact. From January to May 2024, the waiting list for Sussex MSK Partnership remained stable, while national trends show increasing volumes. Sussex MSK has also reduced the number of patients waiting over 18 weeks, outperforming the national average. Although a direct causal link between CAD and waiting list reductions cannot be confirmed, timing correlations and qualitative findings suggest a positive influence.

Potential long-term effect: Further analysis is required to determine CAD’s long-term impact on waiting times, but current patterns, combined with low Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) rates, indicate that CAD may contribute to sustained reductions if the initiative continues.

Limitations and recommendations: 

  • Data and methodology limitations: The report is based on limited data from six CAD events without a comparator group. Longitudinal data and independent qualitative data collection are recommended for a more robust evaluation. 
  • Key recommendations: 
  • Commission independent qualitative data collection and follow-up with non-attendees. 
  • Link CAD attendee data to primary and secondary care records to assess service utilisation. 
  • Refine data on PIFU usage by CAD attendees, stratified by key demographics. 
  • Maintain records of review and learning activities related to CAD and implement operational improvements. 

Background on MSK care: 

  • Growing demand for MSK care: MSK conditions are a leading cause of disability in the UK, significantly impacting individuals and the healthcare system. The CAD initiative in Sussex aims to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive, integrated care model in a community setting. 

Conclusion: 

The CAD initiative has achieved its goals of improving patient self-management and staff engagement. There are opportunities for further operational improvements and more comprehensive data collection to enhance future evaluations.

If you’ve looked at our work at Here and you think we’d make a good partner for your next project or you’d like to share ideas, we’d love to hear from you. 

To get in touch email: collab@hereweare.org.uk 

A white man is stood on one leg leaning against a wall and receiving physio care from a woman kneeling next to him holding his leg at a Community Appointment Day

The post Community Appointment Days – Evaluation proves impact on MSK care appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/community-appointment-day-evaluation/feed/ 0
Announcing our new partnership with St Gemma’s Hospice https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/partnership-with-st-gemmas-hospice/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/partnership-with-st-gemmas-hospice/#respond Thu, 19 Sep 2024 07:58:44 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=14947 We are delighted to announce our new partnership with St Gemma's Hospice, a leading palliative care provider. This collaboration represents an important step towards achieving our shared commitment to delivering exceptional care for everyone.

The post Announcing our new partnership with St Gemma’s Hospice appeared first on Here.

]]>

Announcing our new partnership with St Gemma’s Hospice

Graphic reads St Gemma's Hospice with the logo which has an illustration of a tree in green and purple

We are delighted to announce our new partnership with St Gemma’s Hospice, a leading palliative care provider.

 

This collaboration represents an important step towards achieving our shared commitment to delivering exceptional care, for everyone. 

As a purpose-driven organisation, we are dedicated to empowering organisations with data-driven insights. Our expertise in health analytics, cloud-based data warehousing, and system configuration helps organisations make informed decisions that improve the services they offer to their communities. 

As part of this partnership, we will utilise our established infrastructure to provide St Gemma’s with a flexible and scalable data platform.

Our system will integrate seamlessly with St Gemma’s existing tools, enabling real-time insights to support better, data-driven decision-making for patient care. From securely managing data storage, and transformation to delivering advanced data dashboard, we aim to create a robust, transparent, and efficient data environment.

Logo reads St Gemma's Hospice with an illustration of a tree in green and purple

Tony Deighton, Information Manager/Data Protection Officer at St Gemma’s Hospice, said: 

 “We are delighted to collaborate with Here as we transition to a new data warehouse model for all our data. This partnership marks an exciting step forward for St Gemma’s, and we are confident that together, we will generate comprehensive data insights that drive informed decision-making.”

Matthew Riley, Head of Informatics at Here, said: 

“St. Gemma’s Hospice exemplifies the critical role that hospices play in our healthcare system. By embracing this work, St. Gemma’s will be able to use data to truly understand the value they bring and work more efficiently and effectively. We are proud to collaborate with such a forward-thinking organisation and look forward to working with the team.”  

Photo of Matthew Riley, a white man wearing a button up shirt, glasses and smiling

What sets this partnership apart is our shared values. As a social enterprise, Here focuses on building partnerships that create direct, meaningful benefits for the people seeking care.

Our collaboration with St Gemma’s will also prioritise knowledge sharing, allowing their team to upskill and grow their in-house analytics capability, ensuring the long-term success of their data-driven initiatives. 

Photo of Dr Helen Curr, a white woman with short hair and smiling

Helen Curr, CEO of Here, said:

“When we work in partnership, we seek like-minded organisations, and it is no surprise that we have started to find these in the hospice sector. We feel privileged to support the work of St Gemma’s and to share our learning in this new partnership.”

Together, we will deliver a solution that not only meets the immediate needs of St Gemma’s but also evolves as their requirements change, ensuring continuous improvement and excellence in care.

 

Learn more about our award-winning healthcare data and analytics.

If you’d like to discuss working together with us we’d love to hear from you.

 

Email: collab@hereweare.org.uk

The post Announcing our new partnership with St Gemma’s Hospice appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/partnership-with-st-gemmas-hospice/feed/ 0
Social Impact Framework development – could you help us? https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/invitation-to-quote-social-impact-framework-development/ https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/invitation-to-quote-social-impact-framework-development/#respond Fri, 09 Aug 2024 09:02:46 +0000 https://hereweare.org.uk/?p=14347 We aim to report annually externally on our social impact, and use the framework internally to help us develop consistently across our organisation, services and locations.

The post Social Impact Framework development – could you help us? appeared first on Here.

]]>

Social Impact Framework development – could you help us?

Jamie Tulley

Do you have experience in helping social purpose organisations define, measure and report on their social impact?

 

We would like to work with you. For more information click the link below to download the PDF.

Deadline for response: 19th September 2024

 

Please feel free to share with anyone else you might think would like to work with us. 

 

To discuss the brief or to submit your quote, please email: jo.crease@nhs.net

Photograph: Jenny Handy

Crawley Community Action’s Health Expo Event

Photograph: Jenny Handy

Monopause@Work breakfast launch event

The post Social Impact Framework development – could you help us? appeared first on Here.

]]>
https://hereweare.org.uk/blog/invitation-to-quote-social-impact-framework-development/feed/ 0