Cornwall NHS Project Competing for National Award

A groundbreaking health project in Cornwall has been shortlisted for a prestigious national Health Service Journal (HSJ) Award, highlighting the impact of an innovative approach to tackling health inequalities in the region.

Tackling Health Inequalities

The Community Health and Wellbeing Worker model, a collaboration between NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board and the London-based primary care networks that form Healthcare Central London, has been named a finalist in the ‘Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year’ category. The project aims to address the social determinants of health by embedding Community Health and Wellbeing Workers in areas facing the most significant health inequalities.

Each Community Health and Wellbeing Worker supports up to 120 households monthly, offering personalised assistance to address individual concerns. By focusing on the community’s most pressing needs—money issues, mental health, and housing—the project has made significant strides in improving the well-being of local residents.

Expansion and Impact

The project began with a team of 10 workers in Newquay, St Austell, Falmouth, Penryn, and Truro, who managed to engage with 381 people by knocking on 1,753 doors in its first year. The success of this pilot led to the expansion of the programme, which now includes 43 workers covering additional areas such as Bodmin, Redruth, Camborne, Pool, and Illogan. Plans are underway to extend this service to Penzance and Liskeard later this year.

The programme’s London counterpart, which started as a pilot with just four staff in Churchill Gardens, has expanded to 29 workers covering two of Westminster’s most deprived areas. The initiative has already shown promising results, including increased screening and vaccine uptake, and there are plans to scale the programme to support 50,000 of Westminster’s most vulnerable residents.

Inspired by Brazil’s Success

This model is based on the highly successful Family Health Strategy in Brazil, which has been operating for 30 years and now covers 70% of the population. The Brazilian model has led to significant improvements in public health, including a 34% reduction in cardiovascular events in areas with high coverage. Community Health and Wellbeing Workers in Brazil perform a range of tasks from health promotion to chronic disease management, a template that has been effectively adapted to the Cornish context.

National Recognition and Local Impact

John Govett, Chair of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, expressed his pride in the programme: “I am so very proud of our Community Health and Wellbeing Workers and the team that have worked so hard to recruit, train and support them. They live and work in local communities and truly understand them, which enables them to help overcome the inequalities. We’re helping shift the front door of primary care into the community using Community Health and Wellbeing Workers, inspired by the Brazilian model.”

Similarly, Kate Shields, Chief Executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, praised the national recognition: “I am absolutely delighted that our pioneering work in making Community Health and Wellbeing Workers a success here in rural Cornwall is continuing to gain national recognition. It’s great to see their local leadership in action. More importantly I love to hear about the difference they are making each and every day to people in our most vulnerable communities.”

Building on Success

The project’s success is further amplified by the collaborative efforts of various local and national partners, including Volunteer Cornwall, CHAOS Group, and the National Association of Primary Care. The positive results of the model have also led to the creation of the ‘Octopus’ Integrated Neighbourhood Team in Westminster, which unites local authorities, voluntary sectors, and healthcare professionals in service of local communities.

With over 1,350 entries for this year’s HSJ Awards, reaching the final shortlist is a significant achievement. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 21 November 2024, where the innovative work of the Community Health and Wellbeing Workers will stand as a testament to the power of localised, community-driven healthcare solutions.