A LOCAL GPs’ group has been named as a national pioneer in its efforts to make health and social care services work better together.

Nationally, there is a push to make GP practices, hospitals and social care services work in a more co-ordinated way, to prevent people falling through the cracks and cut the number of patients needlessly stuck in hospitals.

Now the NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been named as one of 11 new pioneers in this area, after impressing bosses at the Department of Health with their efforts.

The CCG, which brings together 17 GP practices, aims to provide care that is wrapped around patients’ needs, in a project called Right Care.

This works on the basis that if people get better support at home, along with earlier treatment in the community and services that join up with each other, they can help prevent people needing emergency care in hospital.

The CCG will now be given extra support to accelerate the pace of change.

Dr Phil Pue, a GP and the CCG’s chief clinical officer, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be chosen as a new integration pioneer.

“Our vision is to transform health and care and create integrated community and hospital services that place people at the centre of making decisions about their care.

“Patient-centred care will support people to get the right care, at the right time, in the right place, first time.”

Dr Colin Renwick GP, the CCG’s clinical chair, added: “Our patients continue to tell us they want services to be more ‘joined-up’ so their care is co-ordinated. Being part of this programme will give us a real opportunity to continue to deliver our ambitious vision and to make sure local people continue to receive the best health and care services. By providing more integrated services, we will give people the power to enjoy happier and healthier lives – and we’ll be with them every step of the way.”