Our Vision For Services
A Stepped Care Approach: Supporting Your Health and Wellbeing
Our Stepped Care Model is designed to ensure you receive the right care at the right time, tailored to your individual needs. This approach helps you stay well, live independently, and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.
At its core, the Stepped Care Model shifts from a “step-down” approach—where care begins only after an acute illness, moving from hospital to community to independence—to a “step-up” approach, providing earlier support to prevent issues from becoming severe.
Why This Matters
Unnecessary hospital stays can have serious consequences, especially for older people. Extended time in a hospital can lead to “de-conditioning,” where patients lose strength, mobility, and independence. By providing care in the community, we help people recover and thrive in a familiar environment, reducing these risks and improving overall outcomes.
This vision aligns closely with the NHS Long Term Plan and the Government’s commitment to delivering more care in the community. By focusing on prevention, early intervention, and personalised support, this model is transforming how health and care services work, putting people at the centre of their care.
Key Principles of the Stepped Care Model
- Right Support, Right Time: The model ensures that you have access to the level of care you need, whether it’s self-help resources, community services, or more specialised support.
- Focus on Self-Help: We empower individuals to take control of their health by using tools and resources available in their community.
- Making the Most of Community Assets: Local community groups, charities, and volunteers play a crucial role in supporting people to stay well and connected.
- Prevention First: By focusing on early involvement, we aim to identify and address health concerns before they escalate, keeping you healthier for longer.
- Collaboration at Every Level: The model integrates care across services, ensuring smooth transitions and consistent support wherever it’s needed.
Investing in Your Community
This model reflects a bold ambition for a healthier, more connected community. By integrating care and focusing on prevention, we aim to:
- Enhance Accessibility: A single, streamlined entry point and digital tools make it easier for you to find and access the right services when you need them.
- Strengthen Community Support: We’ve committed to invest 5% of the contract value (from the end of Year 2) to support voluntary and community organisations, expanding early help options across the region.
- Prioritise Early Intervention: By intervening early and providing proactive care, we aim to help people manage their health effectively and remain independent for longer.
- Reduce Hospital Admissions: Delivering high-quality care in community settings reduces the strain on hospitals and GPs, ensuring resources are focused where they are most needed.
A Shared Vision
This new way of working is part of a shared commitment by the NHS and Government to make care more accessible, personalised, and effective. It’s a step towards creating a healthcare system that supports people before problems arise, reduces unnecessary hospital stays, and helps everyone live healthier, more independent lives.
Together, we can build a brighter, healthier future for all.
