Enabling change through communities of practice: Wellbeing Our Way

In June 2014, National Voices set out to explore and test how communities of practice could facilitate the spread of large-scale change across England’s voluntary sector working for health and wellbeing.

Wellbeing Our Way was born from the belief that voluntary and community sector organisations, alongside people with long-term health needs, can play a powerful role in creating a health and care ‘system’ which works for everyone: a system which values people’s strengths, is based in their communities, and enables people to make decisions based on their personal preferences and priorities.

NHS moves to end “fractured” care system

The head of NHS England has pledged to end the “fractured” health and social care system that leaves too many patients “passed from pillar to post” by giving local leaders and communities more control over how they improve health and social care.

Addressing the NHS Confederation in Liverpool, Simon Stevens announced nine areas in England – covering some seven million people – which will be the forefront of nationwide action to provide joined up, better coordinated care breaking down the barriers between GPs and hospitals, physical and mental healthcare, social care and the NHS.

Eight ‘accountable care systems’ (ACSs) will bring together local NHS organisations, often in partnership with social care services and the voluntary sector. They build on the learning from and early results of NHS England’s new care model ‘vanguards’, which are slowing emergency hospitalisations growth by up to two thirds compared with other less integrated parts of the country.