Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 05:05 pm
Health leaders from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, have shared the success of their collaborative working model with more than 1,000 delegates at a conference in Belgium.
Dr Salman Shahid, Associate Medical Director of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, along with a team from One Rochdale Health and Care, presented their integrated approach to healthcare, focusing on improving the well-being of individuals in Rochdale and the wider Greater Manchester region at the International Conference on Integrated Care in Antwerp.
During the conference, Dr Kirsty Marshall, Dr Shona McCallum, and Alison Kelly highlighted their work on enhancing patient and public involvement in health and social care services within the region.
Dr Shahid, together with Sandra Crossdale and Andrew Hulcoop, took to the stage to discuss the “Integration Continuum” and its significance in achieving patient-centered care within an integrated healthcare model.
“Our attendance at this conference aimed to foster learning and exchange experiences regarding the challenges faced by modern healthcare systems,” said Dr Shahid. “We showcased how hospitals, community services, GP practices, voluntary organizations, as well as educational and research teams, collaborate to deliver integrated healthcare, putting patients at the center of care.”
He added, “This conference provided an excellent opportunity for us to gain insights from colleagues across Europe and further enhance our approaches and systems, ultimately creating a better health and social care system for our residents.”
Rochdale is among the ten areas in Greater Manchester with significant health and care inequalities. Dr Shahid emphasized the need for a multi-disciplinary approach and recognition of all contributors, including voluntary, research, and education sectors, in tackling long-term medical conditions. By prioritizing better integration, the aim is to achieve a seamless health and well-being model with shared responsibility for patient care.
One Rochdale Health and Care is a part of the broader Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which includes Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (SRFT) and The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (PAT). Serving a population of over one million people across Salford, Oldham, Rochdale, and Bury, the group also provides specialized services to patients from Greater Manchester and beyond.
