We know that our health and care system can do more for our residents. Where possible, we want to do more to prevent people becoming unwell, but when they do, we want to ensure that they are looked after by highly skilled health and social care professionals in the right place, at the right time.
A case for change was produced in December 2018 which highlighted the current problems our health and care system is facing. The main findings from this case for change were:
Demographics – The number of people in Central Lancashire is growing and the population is ageing. Our local hospitals are not set up in the best way for the future to deal with these changing needs.
Lack of alternatives – Local people do not have enough options for their care. This can result in increased use of urgent and emergency care services provided by our local hospitals.
Flow – Too many people wait too long for their care and too many experience delays when they are in hospital.
Workforce – Across our health and care system, including our local hospitals, we do not have the workforce that we need in critical areas.
Effective use of resources – As a health system, we are not making best use of the resources we have.
This Model of Care addresses these issues directly by providing a vision for the future:
“Our vision is that the people of Greater Preston, Chorley and South Ribble are enabled to lead healthy independent lives, and when required, their health and care services, are safe and effective, accessible, responsive and co-ordinated.”