People with long-term health conditions in Portsmouth will be first to benefit from new health scheme
The new scheme aims to bring care closer to home
People with long-term health conditions in Portsmouth will be the first to benefit from a new health scheme aimed at bringing care closer to home.
The National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) is aiming to build on neighbourhood initiatives already underway in Portsmouth.
It will work with organisations and residents across the city in the hopes to prevent unnecessary trips to hospital.
Councillor Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care, at Portsmouth City Council, said: "The initial focus for this programme that we're one of the sites for is to focus on people specifically with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, angina, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis or other health and care needs.
"If you can support those people earlier, if you can prevent them from having things deteriorating or them having to go into hospital; that's so much better for them, the community, and their friends and family as well because they've got their loved ones or friends nearby.
"They're taken care of in the community, and it doesn't get to a crisis point before someone goes oh my word, we have to help you now.
"It gives people more control over their lives because if people know that they can get control and support in their own communities, that's only going to help them live the life they want to."
Portsmouth will become part of the first wave of the NNHIP's scheme, becoming one of 43 pilot sites across England.
Mr Winnington says they're currently in the very early stages.
James Roach, Director of Primary and Local Care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “Being selected for this programme demonstrates the fantastic work already taking part in Portsmouth to focus on prevention and bring care closer to people’s homes.
"This is a key part of the new NHS ten year plan to build a health service fit for the future.
"The programme will bring further support for local partners who are working together with our communities to go further and shape health services around their needs.”
Portsmouth work with individuals in communities to hear what improvements they would like to see.
Mr Winnington says this programme will be built on that "community collaborative".
Dr Linda Collie, Clinical Director for Portsmouth at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: "General practice is central to delivering care within our communities and this programme is an opportunity to work more closely with our partners across health and care to deliver a more joined-up, preventative approach at neighbourhood level, with more support available locally."