Our long-established and internationally renowned approach to integrated health is the subject of a new report, published by the Centre’s impact team.
The 12-month report looks at the health outcomes for local people who were supported by the Centre’s Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IH&W) team. The team works across the Bromley by Bow Centre charity and Bromley by Bow NHS Health Partnership consisting of four healthcare sites in an area with 54000 people (Bromley by Bow and Stepney ONS 2021).
Close collaboration by cross-service staff means local people receive timely and appropriate access to services that best support their health and wellbeing. Everything from clinical services, crisis response, practical advice, training and skills-building to social prescribing, groups that address loneliness and a selection of activities for a healthy body and mind.
Positive outcomes
The report highlights health outcomes for 3422 local individuals from our community who, between them, had 14,772 interactions with the IH&W team and many services on the Bromley by Bow Centre site.
Results show a clinically significant improvement in health and wellbeing among those supported.
Considerable numbers of local people reported increases in their confidence and improved knowledge about what’s happening locally and where they can seek future support and engagement. Many people felt more connected to others and to their communities after working with the IH&W team.
Having health professionals collaborating closely with services in the community is highly relevant in these days of soaring demand for services and the cost of living crisis. The report seeks to highlight the challenges as well as the many benefits of joint working that include:
- Enhanced service engagement by individuals and families
- Positive health and wellbeing outcomes
- More effective and efficient use of staff capacity and resources
- Access to a wider skills and experience base
- Increased staff job satisfaction and work variety
