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The Council has been shortlisted for a top award in the Local Government Chronicle Awards for three health and social care initiatives it recently launched. The awards recognise the nation’s greatest innovators and reward councils who go above and beyond in the care and services they provide.
The LGC Awards 2018, run by Local Government Chronicle, are the biggest and most prestigious in the local government sector. The winners will be announced in a ceremony on 21 March 2018.
The three initiatives which have been nationally recognised are:
▪ IRIS, Identification and Referral to Improve Safety scheme, which helps train GPs and practice staff to effectively identify, engage and support individuals suffering from domestic abuse. Since the Council has led on the implementation of IRIS, there has been a five-fold increase in the level of GP referrals ensuring help and support is provided for people in the district who need it.
▪ The Council’s Wellbeing Prescription, which is one of the largest social prescribing services in the country and free to residents in the district. Wellbeing advisors, based in GP surgeries, help support people with issues such as weight management, fitness, isolation, depression, anxiety and much more. It has recently launched Wellbeing Prescription Plus, providing the same service to vulnerable people in their own homes.
▪ Working with other health and social care providers to map and identify the most vulnerable people and deliver joined up care and support. Current initiatives include a social isolation project in Smallfield, the prevention of and support after falls, diabetes management and the physical care of people with a severe mental illness.
Councillor Martin Fisher, Leader of the Council, said: “This award truly reflects the key priority of this Council which is to improve the lives of all our residents. I am privileged to work with a dedicated and talented team of officers and councillors who continue to challenge all established ways of working to create new opportunities for our residents. The work we do alongside our health and social care colleagues could not be more important and it is great to receive national recognition.”
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