New health service to rollout for Stockton-on-Tees residents

Residents in the Borough will benefit from improved healthcare at their doorsteps thanks to the rollout of a new approach to neighbourhood health.

Stockton-on-Tees is one of 43 areas across the UK selected by Government for the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) which aims to tackle health inequalities, move support closer to communities and prevent ill health, including those in areas with the poorest health outcomes.

It will see General Practice, the Council, NHS and partner organisations including the voluntary sector and communities work closely together to better meet people's needs and enable them to access the support available.

The service will initially focus on supporting adults in central Stockton and Portrack with, or at risk of long-term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease and aiming to be extended to other patients as the programme develops nationally.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Councillor Pauline Beall, said: "Being chosen to be part of the neighbourhood health implementation programme is a major feather in our cap which builds on the huge amount of existing work happening across Stockton-on-Tees to give people the care and support they need.

"Alongside the development of the Tees Valley Care & Health Innovation Zone and the Community Diagnostic Centre, this is a pioneering approach that places more support at the heart of our communities meaning they can access the right level of care in more convenient locations, without having to travel far.

"It also means that people will receive tailored support at an earlier point which will help prevent ill health, complications and avoid unnecessary trips to hospital.

"By working together, the Council and its partners can make use of existing skills and resources to respond to residents' needs. Working with the community will be a key part of this; we know there is a huge amount of activity going on and our local voluntary sector understands our communities really well.

"It also puts us at the forefront of informing the development and implementation of national policy that will benefit the health and wellbeing of our local people."

Samantha Allen, chief executive of NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: "We are always keen to be at the forefront of improving healthcare, so we are thrilled to have both Stockton and Sunderland as part of the first wave of this major national programme. There's a lot of good work already in place, so we have a strong base to build on.

"With integrated teams working in neighbourhoods, we can bring services closer to communities and reduce inequalities in health. There's been huge interest across our region, and over time we want to make sure every part of the North East and North Cumbria can benefit." 

The new approach will be coordinated across the Council, Hartlepool and Stockton Health GP Federation, local Primary Care Networks, North East & North Cumbria ICB, Tees Hospitals Group, Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Trust, Catalyst, Community Pharmacy Tees Valley, Teesside University and supported by Tees Valley Combined Authority and Cleveland Local Medical Committee.