Monmouthshire: Integrating Health And Social Care
Monmouthshire County Council and Aneurin Bevan Health Board have been slowly integrating their health and adult social care services over many years, taking a ‘place-based’ approach, drawing on the support of many voluntary and community organisations.
An integrated services partnership board meets every six weeks to oversee the activities, and three jointly funded integrated service managers support the work.
Those involved believe that early intervention and prevention are key, combined with building on people’s strength and interests, not just focusing on their needs. The partners are developing networks of community support, enabling frail older people to take control of their own lives and enhance their well being, by remaining connected to the things that matter to them.
The overall approach is supported and encouraged by the Welsh “Well Being of Future Generations Act, 2015”, and the “Social Services and Well Being Act, 2014”.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Examples of achievement include:
- In Monmouth, integrating health and social care services for over 12 years.
- In Abergavenny, integrating support for older people and people with disabilities for over six years, working with many voluntary and community organisations
- In Usk, launching a new integrated health and social care centre in August 2018
- Creating multi agency short term assessment and reablement teams to provide frail people with short term support to regain their confidence, mobility and health.
- Tackling loneliness and rural transport issues by working with small technology companies and a voluntary organisation
- Offering post office services in the council’s Usk community hub, working with the local Town Council
KEY LEADERSHIP ACTIONS
Taking a united political and managerial approach that encourages both innovation and partnership working at all levels in the council.
Developing mutual trust by:
- Recognising the importance of building strong relationships with partners.
- Confronting and resolving difficult issues with partners
Agreeing shared strategies by:
- Taking a whole systems approach
- Having a very clear purpose
- Integrating services slowly and thoughtfully, learning and adapting
Delivering results by:
- Appointing integrated service managers
- Being tenacious
- Engaging middle managers and frontline staff
CHALLENGES
Challenges include:
- Limited funds to invest in developing partnership innovations
- A relatively ageing population leading to ever increasing demands
- Some of the regulator’s requirements as seen as holding back innovation
THE FUTURE
The council wants to build on the success of their health and care partnerships, as well as developing a similar approach in children’s services.
ADVICE FOR OTHERS
The way political and managerial leaders behave is seen as being critical to the success of health and social care integration. As one commented:
“Leaders need to think about what we are delivering and why we are delivering it. We have only got to where we are today because we have leaders who are committed to delivering the service that people really need, as opposed to leaders who only want to build and protect their empires. We are here for the public. We need compassionate leaders — not command and control leadership.”
