What will integrated hubs look like?
Karen pointed out: “The priority is integration, integration, integration. Collectively, we don’t need the same spaces we did before. As separate entities, we had infrastructure that we don’t necessarily need to deliver care and to manage systems. We have very much stepped into the shared environment and sharing facilities in a way that we haven’t done before.”
“Legislative change is being heralded and that will see some of the changes being enshrined in law. So, we’ll potentially see those integrated care systems and partnerships coming more to the fore. At present, it’s partnerships rather than being enshrined in any form of legislative change.
Karl said: “If we get to a hub and spoke arrangement being rolled out next year or the year after, where we are looking at new facilities to replace the old GP practices potentially… We have anything between a 3,500 square metre facility up to 7,000 square metres or maybe bigger.
With beds in it perhaps, step-up step-down, pharmacy, GP, dental, community mental health, all working together collaboratively on a community-based level.
Karen said that the development of primary care networks is also crucial. “They would be developed and delivered, serving populations of 30,000 to 50,000 people and based on population health needs. Primary care networks have developed really strong links and engaged and providing multi-professional support to the care home sector.
“The use of 111 is the front door to services, through direct booking into GP practices. Those are just a small sample of the many objectives of the long-term plan, specifically selected to demonstrate that ewe have moved at pace.”
Karen Wylie
