Case studies

Since October 2013, an integrated discharge team has been up and running in North Kent. The team aims to reduce admissions, ensure patients’ needs are proactively managed to reduce their length of stay and to enable patients whose medical conditions are stable to leave hospital in a timely manner. This example of a local initiative forms part of our managing transfers of care resource.

Derbyshire County Council has been working with local partners to develop and deliver a clear plan for use of the improved Better Care Fund. The approach is helping to maintain capacity across both social work and the independent sector, and supporting system flow and hospital discharges. This example of how local areas are working to implement overall system change forms part of our managing transfers of care resource.

Leicestershire’s school nursing service has set up a text messaging service for secondary school pupils. It has helped the service engage hard-to-reach groups with pupils reporting it makes them feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues.

Local authorities and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) across London have set up an online platform to provide help and support to people with mental health problems.

Staff running chair-based exercise classeshave started to use sensors and tablets to assess the falls risk of clients and helpingthem tailor exercise programmes. Theprogramme has been used in care homes andis now being tested in community settings.

Oldham Community Leisure was formed as an industrial and provident society in 2002. Its partnership with Oldham Council is successfully delivering on a range of community outcomes. The leisure trust delivers health interventions and services as well as running leisure centres and sports facilities.

Oxford City Council’s awardwinning sport and physical activity team works with a broad range of partners, including an external provider which operates the city’s sport and leisure facilities. Targeted programmes, projects and events are helping to increase participation among key community groups.

Three Rivers District Council has an in-house leisure development team and contracts out the management of its leisure venues. The team works with a range of partners to meet strategic targets around increasing the health and wellbeing of local people, including those with additional needs, mental health issues and vulnerable young people.

How can local authorities work together better to improve children’s outcomes and create a more innovative, responsive, and sustainable system for delivery?

​​​​​​​Norfolk County Council is using its libraries to promote healthy living and target some of the most pressing health priorities for the local population.