The Enhance programme, which supports people to maintain health, wellbeing and independence, and avoid a hospital admission, will be funded for a second year up to April 2024.
It works by providing tailor-made support for patients being discharged from hospital, referred to Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (LCH) or identified by GPs and the Enhance third sector charities as needing support. It is a partnership between LCH, Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF), Leeds City Council, Forum Central and 14 third sector charities.
By working together, the Enhance programme enables people to get the clinical support they need from the NHS, often through Community Neighbourhood Teams, and non-clinical social support, through the local charities (for example, help with shopping or organising daily tasks of living).
Balwinder Kaur, Enhance Project Co-ordinator at Health for All said:
“We are proud to be one of the delivery partners of Enhance service. Working closely with Beeston and Middleton neighbourhood teams we have been supporting frail and older people to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence to avoid hospital admissions. Its our pleasure to be able to continue this fantastic work through our second year of funding.”
Enhance has had a positive impact in Leeds so far having supported over 400 people, many of which were in vulnerable situations. Watch this video to hear how Health For All helped Peter and Sandra:
Sam Prince, Executive Director of Operations at LCH said:
“There are around 7,000 people on Neighbourhood Team caseloads at any one time and 2000 visits are carried out every day. Patients can remain on our caseload for longer than necessary, not because of a health need but because of a lack of the everyday support that might normally come from friends or family.
“To try and find a solution, different partners across Leeds have come together on this idea, which has already supported many people who may otherwise have remained on a nursing caseload. Looking to the future, we want to continue to work with charity partners to cover all areas of Leeds.”
Linda Glew, Enhance Programme Manager at LOPF said:
“We are so pleased to have continued funding for Enhance. The benefit of the NHS and charity sector working together is huge, as we can support a person’s health and social care needs together and at an early stage, so hospital stays are prevented.”
This article is based on a press release issued by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
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