North and East Cornwall ICA celebrates success at South West Personalised Care Awards
A trio of pioneering services from the North and East Integrated Care Area (ICA) of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly have been recognised at this year’s South West Personalised Care Awards.
Two are from the East Cornwall primary care network (PCN) whose Menopause Clinic won the ‘What Matters Award’ and Home Frailty Team was highly commended for its impactful and compassionate approach to personalised care.
The ‘What Matters’ Award winner: East Cornwall PCN Menopause Clinic
The new ‘Menopause Clinic’ helps women get the menopause support they need. The clinic gives each woman a plan that is personalised to her and works closely with specialist support. By carrying out a full assessment and creating a tailored care plan at the first visit, the clinic has also notably reduced the need for repeat GP visits.
This approach saves time, improves continuity, boosts wellbeing, and ensures the care focuses on what matters most to each person. More than 200 women have used the clinic, and 98% rated their experience as ‘very good’.
Highly commended: Home Frailty Team
The East Cornwall PCN Home Frailty Team was highly commended for its work supporting people who are frail and have complex needs. Every day, staff members from health, social care and community groups meet together to coordinate care plans and respond quickly when somebody needs help.
In just 18 months, the team has helped 1,277 people. Their early support has meant 58% of those people avoided the need to go to hospital. This model avoids repeating work, strengthens cross-team relationships, and ensures that people get timely, kind, joined-up care that is truly person-centred.
Dr Laura Walters, Clinical Director for East Cornwall primary care network said:
“Our teams work incredibly hard, so it’s wonderful to see their efforts recognised in this way, especially amid so many other excellent teams across the South West region. This is a real testament to the commitment and care they give every day, putting patients at the heart of everything we do – I’m incredibly proud of them.”
The ‘Working Together Differently’ Award winner: Farm Well Project, Holsworthy Market Health Hub
This project has won the ‘Working Together Differently’ Award for bringing health services to people in rural areas. It has been recognised for its innovative and collaborative approach – the hub sets up at the regular Holsworthy Livestock Market to enable the farming community to access healthcare services in a place they already visit.
The hub offers essential health checks, mental health support, dementia advice and monitoring for long-term conditions. Nearly 300 people have been seen so far, with many of them benefitting from early detection and timely referrals. The project reduces health inequalities, supports prevention, and shows an exemplary way to support people in rural communities.
Rachel Williams, consultant respiratory practitioner and one of the team who came up with the idea of creating the farming health hub said:
“This award is a great achievement. It reflects the dedication, collaboration and innovation within the team. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved so far.
“Rural and coastal communities face unique challenges in accessing services. The aim is to enhance the health and wellbeing of our rural communities. Promoting place-based care through a sustainable farming health hub model. It is a model that doesn’t just treat illness. It understands people, their context, and their lives.”
Together, these award-winning initiatives highlight the North and East ICA’s dedication to delivering care that improves lives and strengthens communities across the region.
Tryphaena Doyle, Place Director for North and East Integrated Care Area said:
“I’m so proud of our teams in North and East Cornwall. These awards show that we are changing lives for the better by putting people at the centre of their care.
“From the innovative Menopause Clinic, to the dedicated Home Frailty Team, to the inspiring work of the Farm Well Project, each service shows what can be achieved when we listen to people and design care around what matters most to them. I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work and for the difference they continue to make for local residents.”