Partners unite to launch neighbourhood health and care service for Greenwich
This week more than 350 people came together to mark the launch of a new neighbourhood health and care approach in Greenwich, a bold step towards more joined-up, community-based support for local residents.
Hosted by the Healthier Greenwich Partnership, the event brought together NHS leaders, GPs and their practice teams, pharmacists, social care, public health and members of the voluntary and community sector. Together they share the aim of improving health outcomes and helping people live longer, healthier, and more independent lives by working more collaboratively across services.
Andrew Bland, Chief Executive of NHS South East London ICB opened the event by emphasising the power of connection across organisations, professions and communities. He said: “This was a great event, with fantastic attendance from across the health and care system in Greenwich,” he said. “I sensed a real enthusiasm and energy to work together differently with, and for, residents in the borough.”
Attendees heard examples of existing services which are paving the way. The Greenwich frailty service brings experts together in a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting people. The service, which launched in 2020 as a pilot and was later rolled out to the whole borough, is helping people to support people proactively in their own homes and therefore reducing pressure on hospitals and the London Ambulance Service. It is core to the future neighbourhood approach.
The Child Health Clinic in the West Greenwich Primary Care Network area was also showcased, mapping out how a multi-disciplinary approach (bringing together paediatricians and GPs) to triage cases involving complex child health issues is providing more responsive care to children.
Gabi Darby, Greenwich Place Executive Lead for NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB), praised the spirit of collaboration and progress so far: “This event has been key to building the relationships within neighbourhoods that will enable teams to work together around complex patients, and connect them in with the wealth of community resources we have here.”
Ben Travis, Chief Executive of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust outlined his organisation’s commitment to this approach and spoke about Dermatology and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) services: “We have seen big improvements, and reduced waiting lists, by developing community services.”
During the event, attendees broke into neighbourhood groups to map local services, and identify gaps and solutions. The launch builds on months of outreach and workshops with residents and community organisations.
In Greenwich, the neighbourhood health and care approach will initially focus on long term conditions, frailty and children’s services and aims to expand to other health and care priorities next year, including urgent same day care.