Staywell's work featured in new Health and Care Plan for Kingston

The Kingston Health and Care Plan, makes a commitment that local people will benefit from better joined up NHS and social care services.

Launched by the NHS, Kingston Council, the voluntary sector and Healthwatch in October, this is a two-year plan to meet the health and care needs of people living in Kingston.

The Kingston Health and Care Plan, which has been developed with local people, aims to give everyone the best start in life, help people to live healthier lives and be better connected to their local community. Staywell's work is featured in the film made to help communicate the plan.

This new partnership plan will help patients get better care and support and help them to avoid having to re-tell their story every time they encounter a new health or social care service. It will also ensure that different parts of the system share appropriate information to help improve the care local people receive. 

Today, people in the borough of Kingston are living longer and one in three people has a long-term health condition. One in four people will experience a mental health condition during their lives, often alongside other physical health problems. This can reduce quality of life and increase the chance of needing health and social care services.

Stephen Bitti, Chief Officer, Healthwatch Kingston, said:

'We are passionate about local people being at the heart of the Health and Care Plan for Kingston and would like to thank everyone who shared their views and experiences. This plan addresses some of the challenges faced by people when navigating health and social care services and we are delighted to see that there is a strong emphasis on mental health, including a focus on children and young people. We look forward to working with our NHS and social care partners to roll the plan out across the borough.'

Councillor Liz Green, Leader of Kingston Council and Co-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board added:

'I am delighted we are launching our Health and Care Plan in Kingston that local people have been involved in developing. The plan is all about how we work together with the NHS, voluntary and community services to prioritise our resources. This is really important given our current financial challenges and also in ensuring residents receive a coordinated and improved service across the whole system.'

 

Dr Naz Jivani, local GP and Chair of NHS Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:

 'We want people to stay well for longer, be in work for longer and when unwell, to stay in their own homes for longer. Prevention, which involves supporting communities to live healthier lifestyles and look after themselves, is at the heart of our Kingston Health and Care Plan across all life stages.'

Research published by the Health Foundation to look at the health care needs of older adults finds that people aged 65 and older who live alone are 50% more likely to go to A&E than those who live with someone else. 

In the Local Health and Care Plan for Kingston one of the key priorities is around supporting people living alone to have better access to activities taking place in their local community, which could help relieve pressure on A&E departments and GP services. This is particularly relevant heading into winter when services are overstretched.

Michael Whicher attends Staywell's Raleigh House day centre in New Malden. He said:

'I felt very low spirited following the death of my wife as we were very close. It must happen to lots of people when they lose someone. I couldn’t believe I could be so lonely. As soon as I walk through the door of Raleigh House I blossom and feel great. It makes a huge difference to my life and my health. The staff are fantastic.'

Staywell's Chief Executive, Shane Brennan, said:

'We welcome the commitment to enabling people to live well at home, and to reducing loneliness and isolation. Staywell has an important role to play, with our partners, in making these goals a reality.'

To read a summary of the health and care plan for the borough of Kingston click here.

Click here to watch the short film about the Kingston Health and Care Plan, featuring Staywell's social prescribing and day services.

For further information please contact Amy Burns, Communications officer at NHS Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group, on [email protected] or call 020 3941 9923.