Thank you to those working in community health services

The chief executive of Suffolk and North East Essex ICB has been recognising the vital role community health services have in helping people live healthier lives closer to home.

From Monday 7 October, the NHS will mark the national ‘Celebrating Community Services Week’ – a week-long national focus on community services and teams by sharing the work they do.

Community services include provision such as end of life care, podiatry, nursing for diabetes and cancer care.

But more recently, there have been some new services which have been implemented across Suffolk and north east Essex such as the Woodbridge Holistic Assessment Team (WHAT) in east Suffolk. The team provides a holistic assessment for people who have fallen once, had a near miss or stumbled as well as people who are anxious about falling bringing together mental health and primary care nurses, therapists and prescribers.

Elsewhere the Proactive Frailty Care which was introduced in Clacton aimed at supporting older people with the poorest health outcomes to live independently and healthier for longer. Clinical assessments undertaken by the service highlighted a range of issues including new cardiac murmurs, orthostatic hypotension, uncontrolled hypertension and social isolation. The service has led to reductions in the number of acute appointments and attendances at emergency departments.

And in west Suffolk, the community diagnostic clinic at Newmarket Community Hospital will soon provide patients living in the west of the region with quicker and faster access to a wide range of tests, such as MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, lung function and cardiology.

Ed Garratt OBE, pictured below, the ICB’s chief executive, said the week is an opportunity to thank staff who work within those teams: “This initiative really is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and to thank our colleagues who work tirelessly within our community services for the incredible work they do in delivering safe, personal and effective care.

“Thanks to our partnerships, there is now so much innovation in place to support people within their communities.

“So, whether you’re a district nurse, community therapist, work in palliative care or in mental health services, everyone’s efforts within our valued community services are really appreciated.”