Rochdale Care Organisation showcases integrated approach to reducing health inequalities

22 July 2022

Rochdale Care Organisation leaders welcomed newly appointed Rochdale place lead and council chief executive Steve Rumbelow, and director of public health Kuiama Thompson, on a recent visit to showcase integrated working at Rochdale Infirmary.

Chief officer Steve Taylor and medical director Shona McCallum introduced Steve and Kuiama to staff supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population and helping to reduce health inequalities by working in an integrated way.

Rochdale has a history of transformation and collaboration, with the infirmary originally opening as a 30 bedded hospital funded by a local philanthropist and mill owner and the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in 1844 who were the basis for the co-operative movement.   

The similarities between the driver for co-operation faced by the original pioneers resonates with where health and social care systems find themselves now, and the need for all members of our system to collaborate to deliver integrated care. Our services are focussed on improving the health and wellbeing of our population by working together.

Steve and Kuiama were impressed with how integrated our services are, listening to staff in the Alcohol Liaison Service based in our Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), and understanding how patients are directed from our Urgent Treatment Centre to our new Same Day Emergency Care Unit to receive the care and treatment they need.

They praised how our community services are linking together both out of hospital and in hospital, to get patients the right care in the right place, which really demonstrates the progress we have made. 

On the tour they heard from GP trainees on placements within areas of disadvantage in Rochdale and in the UTC, who spoke passionately about addressing health inequalities.

Steve Taylor, chief officer, Rochdale Care Organisation said:

“It was great to welcome Steve and Kuiama, to show them around Rochdale Infirmary, and for them to talk with our staff about some of the great work we are doing to integrate our health and social care services in and out of hospital across Rochdale. Great progress is being made and the future is looking very positive in this regard for the people of Rochdale, who will be able to access more care in their local communities.”

Steve Rumbelow, Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The links we have built between the council and our local health services are helping to reduce the gaps that have always existed between local authorities and the NHS and at the same time; some of our health inequalities. That in turn is leading to more joined-up care for our residents, and there is lots more to come.”

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