But I’ve read the summary and scanned a few sections. More importantly, I have listened to a lot of people who are living with the ongoing reality of changes in the NHS, and in local authorities and in social care.
That all makes sense and the Medequip family are committed to supporting these changes.
But aside from the massive system changes, like new contracts, funding flows, governance arrangements and the like, I see that the biggest thing that also needs to change is us, the people who work for or with the NHS.
Of course, we are all also people who use the NHS, and the plan suggests we need to change our expectations and behaviour in that respect too. I’m sure there will be a range of views on the Afterword to the plan from Wes Streeting, but a bit that stood out for me went…
“We will take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS…”
Medequip has been trying to do that for a while. The Medequip family of companies works with Local Authorities right across the country. It won’t be a surprise to anyone that there are a variety of approaches to community equipment and associated services, to the organisations that provide them and to the people who use them.
To help with this we looked to see where we provided the majority of community equipment services across the different Local Authority areas that make up an Integrated Care System footprint. Then we contacted them to offer to bring together the other independent sector providers and in house services, along with community groups and people who use services, to learn from each other and to make what improvements we could.
Let’s just say we haven’t been rushed off our feet dealing with responses. For all the reasons explained in Fit for the Future, people in the NHS have been very busy.
I understand the point that is being made when the plan says the NHS must move beyond a focus on beds and buildings. But it should remember that to many of the increasing number of people who will be receiving their treatment and on-going care and support in the community, a specialist bed and mattress and a suitable home are fundamental.
The Fit for the Future summary doesn’t make specific reference to Community Equipment, Technology Enabled Care or Wheelchair Services, but I know they are vital to the delivery of this plan, as is partnership working.
Whether that’s through health and social care integration, increasing the formal and informal working arrangements with and between private and VCSE sectors, and underpinning it all, the work we need to do with people who use these services.
Medequip now has a wider range of services and partners and a deep understanding of the health and social care system from working with different integrated systems. From clinical advice to those who prescribe community equipment, to joint arrangements with community groups to increase the collection and return of equipment that’s no longer needed.
We’re improving how we listen to people who use our services too, and how we work with them to make improvements. Medequip is getting fitter and is changing.
When I look at Fit for the Future, I see a lot that the splendid people in the NHS and local authorities need to do. I also see a lot that needs changing.
Changes to systems and structures and technology and funding are important of course, but it’s always the people who matter the most, and we’re all a work in progress.
If Fit for the Future impacts on you or your organisation, if you find yourself in a key position in an ICB with strategic commissioning responsibility, if perhaps you are working with new partners in a Combined Local Authority, or you may even be in a group of community and user-led organisations trying to influence the system, then perhaps it’s time to look at Medequip…and see what we can do to help.
Contact me directly at d.griffiths@medequip-uk.com or look at Procurement Services – Community Equipment Frameworks.