20 Sep 2019
Four St Helens residents share their personal stories in a series of films showing how the Contact Cares service in St Helens has made a difference to their lives
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 01744 676767.
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.
See their films here
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.
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 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 says 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
