Health leaders from Rochdale have presented the successful outcomes of collaborative working in Greater Manchester to a conference attended by over 1,000 delegates in Belgium.
Dr Salman Shahid, Associate Medical Director of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, along with a team from One Rochdale Health and Care, demonstrated how they have integrated health and social care services to enhance the well-being of individuals in the borough and the wider Greater Manchester region at the International Conference on Integrated Care in Antwerp.
During the conference, Dr Kirsty Marshall, Dr Shona McCallum, and Alison Kelly highlighted their initiatives aimed at increasing patient and public involvement in health and social care services within the region.
Dr Shahid, accompanied by colleagues Sandra Crossdale and Andrew Hulcoop, took to the stage to discuss the “Integration Continuum” and share insights with the conference attendees.
“Our participation in this conference was driven by the desire to learn and exchange experiences regarding the challenges faced by modern healthcare systems,” said Dr Shahid. “We were able to showcase how hospitals, community services, GP practices, voluntary organizations, and educational and research teams are working collaboratively. This collaborative approach enables us to provide patient-centred care within an integrated healthcare model.”
He further added, “The conference provided an excellent opportunity for us to learn from colleagues across Europe and further improve our approaches and systems, aiming to create an even better health and social care system for our residents.”
Rochdale is one of the ten areas in Greater Manchester with significant health and care inequalities. Dr Shahid emphasized that addressing these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach and recognizing the contributions of all stakeholders, including the voluntary, research, and education sectors. By integrating various elements, a seamless health and well-being model can be achieved, promoting better patient care.
One Rochdale Health and Care is a part of the larger Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which includes Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (SRFT) and The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (PAT). The group provides healthcare services to over one million people across Salford, Oldham, Rochdale, and Bury, while also delivering specialized services to patients from Greater Manchester and beyond.
