Services delivered collaboratively by health, local authority and voluntary sector organisations to support carers across B&NES have been nominated for a prestigious healthcare award.
Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (BaNES CCG), Bath and North East Somerset Council and BaNES Carers’ Centre, an independent charity providing free support services to carers in the local community, have been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards in the category of ‘CCG Commissioning for Carers’.
Since 2013 the CCG and the Council have jointly funded the Carers’ Centre and, by working in partnership, have met their target of supporting at least 20 per cent of the local carer population.
There are more than 17,000 carers in Bath and North East Somerset and over 4,000 adults are currently registered and receiving support through the Carers’ Centre.
This includes over 500 registered young carers who receive a bespoke package of services that include break activities, counselling, peer group and one-to-one support.
Sonia Hutchison, Carers’ Centre Chief Executive said: “We are really pleased to be nominated for the HSJ award. the CCG has provided strong support for carers recognising the tireless work carers do.
“Through our partnership carers have access to a wide range of preventative services which help prevent carers from becoming exhausted and ill themselves.
“We look forward to a continuing strong partnership to build on the great work this award is celebrating.”
The CCG encourages collaboration to develop innovative services. For example, the Carers’ Centre, the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Age UK Bath and other key partners are working together to meet the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge and support people with dementia admitted to hospital.
On discharge, the carers of these patients receive extensive support which eases their caring role and reduces the number of re-admissions.
Dr Ian Orpen, local GP and Clinical Chair of the CCG said: “Locally across the NHS, Council and voluntary sector there is a high level of trust and commitment to working in partnership to support carers of all ages to carry out their vital role and provide services that help them stay mentally and physically well.
“It is very pleasing to see this collaborative approach to improve equity of access to services recognised at a national level.”
Cllr Vic Pritchard, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing said: “Carers are a key target audience for the local Health and Wellbeing Board which is made up of key leaders from across the health and care system.
“So the implications for carers are carefully considered as part of all our local healthcare plans, carers, for example, have been actively involved in your care, your way; the Council and CCG’s joint review of community health and care services and their feedback has helped to shape proposals for future care models.”
The HSJ Awards were created in 1981 to nationally recognise the initiatives that deliver healthcare excellence and innovation and to improve the quality of health care in the UK.
This year, over 600 unique organisations submitted over 1600 entries. The shortlisted organisations will now complete presentations and interviews to a specific judging panel made up of senior and influential figures from the health sector.