Collaborative working across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health, care and community services wins regional award

Cornwall’s proud voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) working together with NHS, health and care providers were celebrated at last night’s (Tuesday 12 December) South West Integrated Personalised Care Awards 2023.

Teams across the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care System were awarded the ‘Collaborative Working’ award, which showcases how local people have been benefitting from a network of support that includes:

• Community enablement services which reduce hospital admissions and help get people home from hospital
• Over 50 community hubs that provide hot food, warm spaces, activities and support groups
• The community gateway service, a dedicated telephone line that provides access to a wide range of professional voluntary sector support.
• Home from home reablement service at Penhallow

The award recognised the hard work and commitment from a variety of teams across the VCSE including Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, Volunteer Cornwall, Age UK Cornwall, Humans Cornwall and The CHAOS Group together with NHS services and local authorities, who have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months to deliver the right service, in the right place and at the right time.

Through this collaborative approach every interaction starts with a ‘what matters to you’ conversation with the aim of delivering personalised care supported by locally delivered services. This was made possible by a more dynamic commissioning approach from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, which aims to transform how health and care services are provided in the area.

Kate Shields, Chief Executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, said: “I am so proud of the amazing teams involved in delivering the services that have been recognised through this collaborative working award. The award provides well deserved recognition for those who put people’s needs at the heart of the services they deliver every day.

“Our intention is to make personalised care the universal model for how we provide health and care services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and I look forward to seeing this way of working continue to flourish in the future.”

Emma Rowse, Chief Executive of Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum said: “We know that when we collaborate we deliver services that are better for people and their families. This award is recognition of the dedication to delivering personalised care and the commitment of so many partners in the VCSE to work in partnership, harnessing the skills and talents of different organisations to make a difference for our communities. Cornwall VSF is proud to be part of this collaborative.” 

Tracey Roose, Chief Executive of Age UK Cornwall said: “We are delighted to be part of this collaborative and honoured to host the Community Gateway with our partners. We have all worked hard to create a foundation of support for people across our county. Demand is high and people need information and support to access the right help at the right time for them. Working together we are stronger; offering more resources to communities and providing inclusive and simple ways for people to find what they need.”

Cornwall based projects were also recognised in other categories of the South West Integrated Personalised Care Awards 2023

• Green Award – Highly Commended, St Austell Healthcare
• Living in a Digital Age Award – Highly Commended, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Dermatology Unit, Winner, St Austell Healthcare
• Personal Recognition – Leanne Knapp Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Dermatology Unit
• Connecting People Award – Highly Commended, Imagine If, part of community hub network
• Seeing Me Award– Highly Commended, Humans Cornwall
• Collaborative Working Award – Winner, Cornwall Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Collaborative