Four St Helens residents shared their personal stories in a series of films showing how the Contact Cares service in St Helens has made a difference to their lives at a celebration event which also marked the launch of a new single point of contact number for the service.
David Mitchell, Kath Miller, Frank Doran and Amanda Wilde are St Helens residents who have all been referred to the Contact Cares service for very different reasons and bravely allowed their stories to be filmed to show just how much the new integrated service had helped them.
Contact Cares is a real example of how health, social care, housing and voluntary organisations now work closely together in a truly integrated way to wrap care around the people referred to them.
It is the flagship service of the St Helens Cares local integrated care system which is unique in that it goes beyond health and social care and involves a wide range of partners including social housing, police, fire and the voluntary sector.
In 2018 the Integrated Access St Helens Service (known as IASH) was transitioned into a single ‘front door’ giving access to a whole range of services. This front door is staffed by over 300 staff from a number of different organisations which allows people to be directed to the service that is most appropriate for them following an initial telephone call to a single number.
Contact Cares now operates on the St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust Whiston Hospital site with health and care professionals all based together to enable closer working relationships and information sharing.
Professor Sarah O’Brien, Strategic Director of People’s Services at St Helens Council and Clinical Accountable Officer for St Helens CCG said: “This new way of working has had a significant positive impact on the delivery of services including less duplication between teams, a reduction in avoidable contact and inappropriate referrals.
“It has also enabled us to provide services very quickly to help people remain at home and out of hospital and aid swifter discharges for those who need further rehab and support to have this in the community rather than in a hospital setting. Delayed transfers of care are consistently among the lowest in the North West.
“It is so important that we don’t lose sight of why we are doing all of this and why integration of health and care is so important – which is to improve lives and outcomes for our people.”
All four residents who shared their stories on film agree that they had an excellent service provided by friendly and caring staff and their care exceeded their expectations. As David said simply: “Contact Cares saved my life.”
Frank added: “I’d urge anyone who is struggling with a social need to call Contact Cares – they can really help as they did for me and my wife.”
Contact Cares 01744 676767 is a first contact number for any residents with a social need who are unsure of what help or support they need to access for everything from blue badge applications to reablement.