Health and Social Care

Integrated partnership project lauded by former Public Health Minister

November 28, 2014 by Linda White No Comments | Category Communities

Former Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson recently visited an East Kilbride-based community team of social and health care professionals which was shortlisted at the 2014 Herald Society Awards.

NHS Lanarkshire’s Integrated Community Support Team (ICST) has previously been recognised by its peers at the 2013 Scottish Health Awards and the 2014 Patient Experience Network National Awards, and took the runner-up spot in the Health and Social Care Integration Category at the 2014 Herald Society Awards on Thursday November 6, 2014.

The project started operating in East Kilbride in May 2012 and was formed through the nationwide multiagency Reshaping Care for People (RCOP) programme.

It brings together nurses, physiotherapists and hospital discharge rehabilitation staff from NHS Lanarkshire with social workers, home care workers and occupational therapists from South Lanarkshire Council.

Mr Matheson said:

‘It was a pleasure to visit the Integrated Community Support Team in East Kilbride. Teams like this are at the forefront of our efforts to ensure that the integration of health and social care is a success. I met some tremendous people who are making real progress in preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, and reducing the length of hospital stays.’

Harry Stevenson, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire Integrated Joint Board, said:

‘Integration isn’t about sorting things out or starting again. It’s about understanding different professional perspectives, sharing existing expertise and coordinating resources.

‘Indeed, there are already many examples of excellent partnership working underway in both North and South Lanarkshire and the team who has been shortlisted for this award exemplifies that.’

Councillor Jackie Burns, chair of the Transition Integration Board for South Lanarkshire and depute leader of South Lanarkshire Council, added:
‘This nomination demonstrates that NHSScotland and Council staff are fully focused on making a real difference to the lives of people throughout area by working together.’

Members of the team work together to devise and implement the best possible course of support for the person and their carer. Medical care is provided by the person’s own GP who links, when needed, with hospital consultants. As well as palliative care, the ICST also offers round-the-clock support to people who have just been discharged from hospital, helping them regain independence to prevent unnecessary readmission to hospital.
See how the Integrated Community Support Team works in practice.

For more information on the Integrated Community Support Team, contact Marjorie McGinty.

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