In County Durham there is a strong and well-established track record of effective partnerships and working together which has underpinned our approach to joining up community services and strategic commissioning.
We have built on our strengths - vibrant communities, excellent services, outstanding relationships - to address inequalities. Our priorities are based on shared knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the people and places that make up County Durham.
We know that to meet the challenges facing our health and social care services we need to be able constantly improve the way we do things. For the people of County Durham, keeping things the same is not an option.
Delivering joined up care closer to home
We’ve joined up primary, community and social care to improve the experience of those using our service, deliver care closer to home, focus on the patient, improve access, reduce acute admissions, avoid duplication and promote independence- integrated NHS and social care mental health and learning disability teams with shared pathways and outcomes frameworks.
Our health and social care staff work closer to patients in their homes wherever possible Improving access to care and making it available at the right time While reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, avoiding duplication and promoting independence.