Connected Care in Hartlepool

Background

The Connected Care project in Hartlepool was the first national pilot of Connected Care and began in 2006. The project is centred on the Owton Ward, one of the town’s most disadvantaged areas. The area faces many challenges, such as a high proportion of lone parents and a high rate of teenage pregnancy. There is high unemployment, with many people not working through sickness or disability. There are low levels of literacy and high mortality rates.

Funders

Hartlepool PCT www.hartlepool.nhs.uk (opens in new window)
Hartlepool Borough Council www.hartlepool.gov.uk (opens in new window)

Outcomes

Community researchers in Owton conducted a Connected Care audit to determine the needs and aspirations of local residents and their views on health and social care services. The audit report identified a number of ways in which services could be improved:

Better information, proactively provided at the right time and place, would help residents both to make better use of the options available, and take more responsibility for their health and social care.
Lack of choice leads to low aspirations and acceptance of poor quality services.
Difficulties in accessing services reflected gaps in provision as well as poor information, the absence of a single point of entry to all services and a lack of outreach.
Continuity and coordination were frequently identified as problematic. Services were complex, complicated and sometimes alienating.
The workforce needs to be responsive, flexible and well trained, and treat people holistically, individually and with respect and dignity.

The Connected Care service has now been set up in Owton. It is comprised of the following:

Navigators, working to improve access, promote early interventions, support choice, ensure a holistic approach, and integrate with universal and long term support.
A complex care team integrating specialist health, social care and housing support.
A project manager to oversee the service and promote change in the wider service system.
The development of a range of low level support services that focus on maintaining independence.

This is delivered through a social enterprise managed by residents and local community organisations. The development of a social enterprise is seen as central to the service, helping to ensure it remains focused on the needs of local people.

Connected Care in Hartlepool has been independently evaluated by Durham University.

Evaluation report

Steering Group

Ali Wilson, Hartlepool PCT
Professor Gerald Wistow, Hartlepool PCT and Ward Councillor
Helen Iverson, Housing Hartlepool
David Frame, Hartlepool Borough Council
Ray Harriman, Manor Residents Association
Joan Moore, Manor Residents Association
John Reid, Manor West Residents Association
Marjorie James, Owton Fens Community Association and Ward Councillor
Jez Buffin, University of Central Lancashire
Richard Kramer, Director, Turning Point Connected Care