Mid Sussex care provider celebrate Outstanding healthcare rating

Here is the lead provider of community MSK (Integrated Musculoskeletal) services in the area.

Health care regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave particular recognition for Here’s leadership and effectiveness within community healthcare.

It is commended for its strong collaboration, team-working and its innovative and pioneering approach to care.

Staff and partners gathered at its Brighton headquarters on Friday, November 22 to celebrate this achievement with patients and its NHS and third sector partners, as well as Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas.

Zoe Nicholson, CEO and co-founder of Here which was founded in 2008, said: “It’s as much our partners’ celebration as it is Here’s.

"Staff have earned this rating due to our relentless focus on putting people in control of their healthcare journeys and because our teams and partners walk the talk and provide a culture of collaboration and team-work.”

“Here is amongst the top 5 per cent of all healthcare providers in the UK with an outstanding rating, which is well-deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication of colleagues, teams, patient partners, and delivery partners”.

“As a social enterprise, we have autonomy to bring together the right resource and expertise and encourage a culture that means we all work together towards a clear collective purpose; to create more possibilities for care in every moment.”

Here works with over one million people who might need support with mental health problems, conditions relating to their bones, joints or eyes, or help with the management of long terms conditions like arthritis.

Jane Watts, a 61-year-old patient partner, said: "I've had rheumatoid arthritis for over 20 years, and in 2015 while here for an appointment I was invited to a meeting of patients to discuss how to improve care.

"Lots of people were moaning and their ideas were to bash the NHS, but they fell by the wayside.

"You can't work here and be self-centred, thinking only about yourself.

"You won't find any complaints here, everyone really loves what they do from the receptionists to the directors."

Every patient partner, someone who is involved in giving feedback to Here about how to improve services, has to have experience of using the service to be one.

Some things that Here do differently to other care providers include inviting patients to choose their appointments rather than referring them for one and setting the date, shared decision making and discussing care with regards to what is important to the patient, and asking for constant feedback.

The practical solutions they offer to primary care helps over 5 million people nationwide by helping general practices manage their workflow, ensuring citizen records are up to date and creating a more seamless journey for the people who use their service.

The CQC report said: "There is a truly holistic approach to assessing, planning and delivering care and treatment to all people who use services.

"The safe use of innovative and pioneering approaches to care and how it is delivered are actively encouraged.

“There was strong collaboration, team-working and support across all functions and a common focus on improving the quality and sustainability of care and people’s experiences.”

To read the full report, click here.

For more information about Here, please click here.