Integration: clinical commissioning groups and long-term conditions

What is the video about?

This film looks at how clinical commissioning groups led by GPs can work with social care to improve outcomes for people with long-term conditions. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 gives clinical commissioning groups responsibility for local health service commissioning.

This film presents two case studies of how GP practices are working with social care to improve services. The first case study is based in Bromley by Bow, East London, and features the Pollen project. Dr Joe Hall introduces their work with the Bromley by Bow Centre co-located with the GP partnership. This is an innovative community organisation that supports people to improve their health and wellbeing and achieve their full potential in one of the most deprived areas of London. The second case study is based in rural Norfolk at the North Elmham Surgery. Here Dr Simon Hibberd describes how working with the local adult social care department has dramatically reduced the number of unnecessary emergency admissions of frail, older people to hospital.

The film finishes with a reminder from Professor Peter Beresford that separate health and social care systems make meaning integration difficult but is crucial to improving people’s experiences and quality of life.

Messages for practice

  1. With rising numbers of people living with long-term conditions, joint and integrated working between the NHS and social care is crucial to achieve good outcomes and make best use of resources.
  2. Working collaboratively with local services, clinical commissioners can redesign services to ensure patients and their families get the care that will improve their health outcomes, will be more efficient and effective and may save money.
  3. Divisions between health and social care make little sense to people using services. They expect joined-up services that give them choice and control.

Who will find this useful?

General Practitioners Social workers Clinical and social care commissioners Service users and carers