Community nursing transformation

Date:

A challenge from commissioners to work in a new way has presented an opportunity for nurses in Barnsley to restructure and re-vitalise our service offer.

Locally Barnsley is changing with a growing emphasis on home and community care that meets the needs of an ageing population.  A wide range of community services are involved in the provision of care to people in the borough, these services are ideally placed to lead and deliver new care models that focus upon integrated, co-ordinated and seamless care.

Barnsley CCG recently issued the Trust with a new service specification for community nursing.  This brings together two services – district nursing and community matrons.  The changes have implications for staff in their day to day roles meaning that they need to work more closely with other Trust professionals and partner agencies.

Ruth Donoghue, Community Service Manager, said: “We aim to be the leading provider of community services.  This is about delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time, working in partnership to meet service user needs.”

Barnsley will be divided up into neighbourhoods made up of several GP practices and teams of community nurses will be aligned to these practices.  A new management structure will also be in place.  Community matrons will be responsible for mobilising the wider multidisciplinary teams and will connect with the strategic leads for social care and the local area councils. District nursing sisters/charge nurses will be responsible for groups of practices, care homes and ward alliances in a geographical neighbourhood. As part of the changes, nursing staff are also expected to be much more visible to GPs and become part of the local practice team.

Ruth said: “There are big benefits for our GPs in Barnsley.  Our new way of working will mean less footfall for GPs and reduced costs as community matrons can review and adjust medication.  Working closely with practices means that we can share intelligence and work in a joined-up manner.”

One of the Trust’s core values is to put people first and in the centre and it’s patients who will reap the benefits of the changes.  The transformation will mean a core offer that enables people to remain in their own homes.  Community nurses will also provide support to care homes.  Over time all nurses will be agile workers, meaning that they can respond flexibly to patients’ requirements.

If you require any further information please contact Ruth Donoghue, Community Service Manager on 01226 644550 or ruth.donoghue@swyt.nhs.uk

Community nursing transformation

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