The South West Strategic Clinical Network is developing strong links with a number of voluntary sector and not-for-profit organisations to support commissioning across the region.
The South West Neurological Conditions SCN has commissioned a report from Neurological Commissioning Support (NCS) to provide a baseline on service provision across the region and data on variations in activity and spend for the Top10 Neurological Conditions. The NCS also worked with local voluntary sector groups and providers to highlight areas of good practice and for improvement. This review will be invaluable in shaping the work programme of the network and several other SCNs nationally have followed the South West lead and are commissioning similar reports.
In England, an estimated 4800 patients have a stroke away from home so receive acute and emergency treatment away from their local community. For such patients, integrating post-acute care including social care can be complicated and lead to frustrations and long delays for patients, their families and the hospitals treating them. The South West Stroke SCN has partnered with the Stroke Association to launch an interactive map to help healthcare services support people who have had a stroke away from home. The UK Stroke Contacts Map is the first resource dedicated to connecting health and social care professionals treating stroke survivors from outside their catchment area so that they can get in touch with the patient’s local stroke team to coordinate on-going care and referrals. For these stroke survivors who have received treatment away from home this national map will be a great tool to join up services and create a more integrated care pathway for patients.
Rethink Mental Health support the South West Mental Health Alliance which links directly to the South West Mental Health SCN. The South West Mental Health Alliance provides an ‘on the ground voice’ for anyone in the South West of England who has an interest in improving services and support for people who have mental health problems, and in promoting mental health and wellbeing.
