News and media releases from the Surrey Heartlands area
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Residents across the east of Surrey set to benefit from care closer to home
Residents across East Surrey and Surrey Downs will soon benefit from more joined-up, accessible healthcare delivered in the heart of their communities, as the area is among the first in the country to launch a new neighbourhood health service under a national programme.
This initiative aims to bring care closer to home, making it easier for people to get the support they need from local teams of health and care professionals.
The programme, known as the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) is all about moving more care out of hospitals and into communities, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.
This means rethinking ways of working - bringing together local health services, care teams, and community organisations to form one coordinated team, sharing resources more effectively and using the specific health and wellbeing needs of its local residents to inform every decision.
Surrey East has long been recognised for its collaborative, neighbourhood-based approach to health and care. By creating a neighbourhood health service, teams can break down barriers and provide more joined-up, personalised support, especially for people living with multiple or complex needs.
This programme will enable teams to build a more sustainable way of working that can adapt to the changing health needs of local communities as they evolve.
Surrey East, made up of Surrey Downs and East Surrey geographies which span from Reigate and Oxted through to Epsom, Dorking and Leatherhead, forms part of the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System.
Surrey East is one of 43 sites selected as part of the first cohort for NNHIP after applications were submitted in August.
Thirza Sawtell, Place Lead for Surrey East said:
Our work within Surrey East has long embraced a neighbourhood-based approach to health and care, and joining the NNHIP marks an exciting opportunity to build on that foundation.
Being part of this national programme builds on our ambition to shift care out of hospitals and into the heart of our communities, tailoring care around the specific needs of our residents and put them at the very heart of our decision making.
We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s driving real change in how care is delivered locally, which ultimately will help improve health outcomes, reduce reliance on hospital services, and support our communities to live healthier, more independent lives right where they live.
In addition, Surrey West (recently formed from the North West Surrey Alliance and Guildford & Waverley Alliance) will be participating in the SE Neighbourhood Health Accelerator Programme, designed to bring neighbourhood teams together to strengthen integrated working, respond to population health priorities, and develop practical initiatives and projects.