Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System were shortlisted in the category of ‘ICS of the Year’ at the 2022 Health Service Journal Awards last week.
While West Yorkshire ICS were this year’s winners, judges were impressed by a specific programme of work that has seen 15 health and care partners in mid and south Essex collaborate to better support local people.
The programme, called ‘Connect’ has improved outcomes for over 10,000 people per year. Professor Michael Thorne CBE, Chair of NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board said, “Many congratulations to the team on this thoroughly deserved recognition. It is testament to their incredible hard work and dedication to building on existing partnerships and working innovatively, effectively and efficiently for the benefit of some of our most vulnerable people.”
Dr Sarah Zaidi, local GP and clinical leader across the mid and south Essex health and care system who played an integral part in implementing the programme said,
“I am really proud to have played a part in this programme and more importantly seen the real benefits that better joined up care can bring to both local people and our staff. Better integration is critical to the very survival of our health and care system and we won’t be able to effectively make progress by working separately. The success of the Connect programme really demonstrates that we can make change across Essex, by joining hearts and minds and then doing things together.
By breaking down existing organisational barriers, we can join forces and effectively collaborate as one united system, to achieve better things for the people we all collectively serve.”
Nick Presmeg, Executive Director for Adult Social Care, Essex County Council said, “I think the real uniqueness of the Connect programme is that it keeps people at the heart of what it’s trying to do. Working together better as a partnership was as important as the operational changes and involved multiple organisations forming single design teams, delivery teams and leadership teams aligned on a common goal. The ambition and clear purpose of the Connect programme allowed frontline staff and system leaders to work together and put individual budgets and priorities to one side.
Find out more about the Connect Programme