The York Integrated Care Team (YICT) has been highly praised for its innovative approach to ensuring local patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time across the Vale of York.

The YICT, which was initiated by local GP practice Priory Medical Group but now incorporates a number of Practices within NHS Vale of York CCG, was born from the views of the local community who said they wanted fast access to care and support and to only have to tell their story once.

Whilst the team are based at Tang Hall, they have covered all nine Priory Medical Group surgeries from day one. After 12 months it expanded to Haxby Group, My Health and Unity Practices and six months ago Kirkbymoorside was also added to thre scheme.

The YICT helps keep people out of hospital and independent for longer by working directly with each individual to see if appropriate alternative solutions can be found. Active partners include City of York Council teams, Voluntary Sector Organisations, Community Services  and the Rapid Assessment Team from York Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and there are close links to areas such as housing and social prescribing.

Dr Tim Maycock, GP Lead for Integrated Care at NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We want care to be centred around the individual, with as many services as possible provided in the community.

“In this new way of working, the patients’ problem is our problem and the report from the CQC attests the exemplary work that the YICT are doing in improving the health and well-being of patients in the Vale of York.”

The CQC report said it had seen evidence of a CCG funded project York Integrated Care Team (YICT) which had proved to have a positive impact on meeting the needs of vulnerable patients within the practice.

The report added that this integrated person-centred care had enabled patients to have more choice with their care and support.  YICT’s pro-active way of working helped to ensure everyone was informed in a timely way. Multi-agency working meant vulnerable patients did not have to repeat the same information each time a new agency became involved. This had reduced anxiety in patients and their carers and we saw positive feedback about the differences this way of working had on individuals and families.

The YICT aims to:

• Reduce avoidable hospital admissions
• Expedite safe discharge from hospital
• Enable patients to remain independent longer
• Keep the patient at the centre all the time
               
Martin Eades, Managing Partner at Priory Medical Group, said: “We are convinced that, by working in partnership with the many care providers across the city, patients get better, faster care in a cost effective and sustainable way.  Expanding the reach of the team and the benefit it delivers to the wider patient population is now our highest priority.”

Dr Lesley Godfrey, Managing Partner Priory Media Group and Clinical Lead of YICT, said: “By working as one team we can meet patients’ immediate needs quickly and effectively and assist them in remaining independent for longer.

“Patients have told us that the early intervention and direct care from the team have lifted them from a desperate situation to a position of relief and hope.”

Dr Tim Maycock added: “We have seen some encouraging outcomes and good levels of patient satisfaction from the YICT.  Work is continuing with partners across the Vale of York and we hope to expand the service across York practices and surrounding areas.”

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