Teams from the county’s adult mental health, adult community health, children’s mental health and children’s physical health services gathered at The Rufus Centre in Flitwick on Friday, January 26, for an in-person partnership working forum.
Colleagues discussed progress since a first partnership board workshop was held in March 2023 and to shape next steps.
The aim is to consider further opportunities to connect and adopt shared priorities, building on the foundations in place through Bedfordshire Community Health Services (BCHS), which is provided in partnership by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (CCS).
ELFT provides adult community health services in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire and children’s and adult mental services across Bedfordshire and Luton.
CCS provides children’s community health services in Bedfordshire and Luton and adult community health services in Luton.
The session started with an overview from children’s physical health and mental health services, who shared details of their new partnership approach through place-based meetings held by clinicians and involving public health teams.
The workshop was led by Edwin Ndlovu, ELFT Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, and CCS Deputy Chief Executive Anita Pisani.
“Today is about further shaping a ‘one team’ approach that supports people throughout their care journey,” said Edwin.
“It is thinking about the whole person and their needs – and how we meets those needs together.”
