Integrated Home First team picks up Scottish Health Award – and patient praises physiotherapy input

Physiotherapists from NHS Lanarkshire are playing their part in a service that ensures local patients receive the help they need to return home speedily after a spell in hospital.

The Home First service, run by South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, won the Integrated Care category at last night’s (3 November) Scottish Health Awards 2022.

The [Home First] approach has seen a network of teams, professions and work steams – spanning the health and social care system – drive towards high quality, co-ordinated care that is person-centred, safe and effective [NHS Lanarkshire]

A patient's view

A Cambuslang resident, Jessie Turner, who is in her mid-90s, highlighted the physiotherapy component in the care package she received from Home Care earlier this year.

Jessie, who had been discharged home after having a stroke – not her first – which happened not long after she had received a hip replacement, said: ‘Thanks to Home First, my home carers, the hospital physiotherapists and occupational therapy all worked together and planned things so that I could not only get back to my home but live well there.  

‘I had my first stroke 10 years ago and the difference in my experience then, as compared to now is night and day. My stay in hospital this time was only a few weeks because so many people came together to make it so.

‘Everyone has been incredibly kind. Not only do I have the adaptations I need to my house, but the physiotherapist support to get stronger, and twice daily visits from home carers who make me feel safe and looked after.'

Jessie added: ‘Having this team of people in my life has made more difference than I could ever have imagined, medically, practically and emotionally and I cannot thank them enough.’

Response to 'ongoing pressures'

In a statement welcoming the high-profile award going to Home First, NHS Lanarkshire said: ‘The approach has seen a network of teams, professions and work steams – spanning the health and social care system – drive towards high quality, co-ordinated care that is person-centred, safe and effective.

‘Home First is a key element of our local response to ongoing pressures. The win speaks to the rigour and challenge the HSCP has chosen to bring to addressing the challenge teams and our service users/patients are facing.’ 

To read more about Jessie’s care, visit: https://www.slhscp.org.uk/news/article/204/jessie_praises_care_as_life_changing

To find out who won the other categories, visit: https://scottishhealthawards.com/2022/en/page/2021-winners

To read PhysioUpdate's article about Mhaira Burke's AHP category award, visit: https://www.physioupdate.co.uk/on-the-move/physiotherapist-mhairi-burke-named-scotlands-allied-health-professional-of-the-year/