£440m project to bring 'person-centred' care to North Essex
NHS services, care teams and hospices will work more closely
It's expected more 'person-centred care' can happen across North Essex, thanks to a new team.
A £440-million, ten year contract will mean NHS services, hospices and care teams working closer together to fit around individuals.
North East Essex Integrated Community Services comprises East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, GP Primary Choice, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and Virgin Care.
In addition to the four main providers, there are a number of associates (for example local authorities and voluntary groups) who will be partly responsible for ensuring the services link effectively with the communities they serve.
They include St Helena Hospice, Community 360, Community Voluntary Services Tendring, Age Concern Colchester, and other local organisations.
This alliance partnership will be responsible for providing services such as community nursing and intermediate care, stroke rehabilitation and community beds across Colchester and Tendring areas.
It will drive a much greater emphasis on integration with a broad range of private and voluntary sector organisations, charities as well as local authority and health sectors working together.
Ed Garratt, Chief Executive of the NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group which awarded the contact, said:
"Today marks a significant milestone in the way we will provide services in the future across north east Essex.
"I am excited by the prospect of providing services that will see local people having access to greater person-centred, co-ordinated care and support in the future that is joined up. This has been a key area of feedback that we have received from local people."
"I would also like to thank staff at the Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE) who have been providing services across Colchester and Tendring through the previous contract.
"These staff have transferred successfully to the lead partner East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, who will caretake the services whilst the Alliance agrees over the next 18 months its final delivery model."
"We believe that this new collaboration will ensure local people in future have access to high quality and sustainable health and care services."