Guest Editorial April 2011
The guest editorial for April was written by Carolyn Robertson, Associate at the NHS Institute, who presented on the topic of Joined-up Care during the Expert on Call on 21st April 2011. Follow this link to listen to the recording.
With over 25 years experience in the NHS and a clinical background, Carolyn has spent the last 3 years working at the NHS Institute, most recently leading the Joined-up Care Programme.
The current context
The case for Joined-up Care is compelling. Evidence from the UK and other countries demonstrates the financial and quality benefits to be gained. This evidence contains some important lessons for the NHS as we endeavour to integrate our services to reduce waste, improve productivity and to improve patient experience:
- Organisational integration appears to be neither necessary nor sufficient to improve outcomes. Much more important is clinical and service integration in which front line teams are enabled to work together to overcome fragmentation of care and provide truly patient centred services.
- Effective leadership is critical to the success of Joined-up Care, developing a collaborative culture that encourages team working and partnership across boundaries
- Financial incentives are required to support the implementation of Joined-up Care, removing the barriers that get in the way of clinical teams working together to improve outcomes.
In the Expert on Call Webex you will be made aware of:
- The factors that are essential for Joined-up Care to be implemented successfully
- Practical examples from the Joined-up Care case study sites
- Some suggestions of NHS Institute tools and methodologies that can be used as you implement Joined-up Care
