Abstract
Working alongside partners within health and social care, Delta Wellbeing has implemented an innovative, large-scale programme focused on supporting prevention and wellbeing through a technological and digital approach called CONNECT.
The initiative transforms the way social care is delivered, implementing a new model of self-help and pro-active care helping people remain independent for longer and reducing demands on long-term or acute care.
CONNECT includes an assessment, co-produced wellbeing plans, pro-active calls, bespoke TEC provision, access to 24/7 welfare response and pro-active support pathways, all supporting clients to maintain independent and remain safe at home.
The project has been delivered by Delta Wellbeing on behalf of the Regional Partnership Board and co-created with regional stakeholders including service users, the local health board, social care teams across local authorities, third sector and industry partners.
Now in its fourth year of delivery, CONNECT has been hailed a UK exemplar model exemplifying the region’s ambition of working across sectoral boundaries to deliver a radical, person-centred approach to wellbeing, care and support.
Since launching in January 2020, CONNECT has provided incremental support across the region to over 5790 clients, with 80,188 pro-active calls completed and the Response Team attending over 11,900 call outs and only 6% needing escalation to emergency services.
Crucially, CONNECT is easing pressure on the NHS and Social Care by managing demand and flow. The adaptability of the service model has enabled us to provide a completely holistic service whether clients are community-based or in hospital offering a wide range of support services to suit the individual’s needs, our partners’ outcomes, and relevant pathways.
Developed from the CONNECT service Delta Wellbeing’s Blue Army work in emergency departments in local hospitals providing Information, Advice and Assistance and a vital bridging service providing care and support for up to 7 days to enable hospital discharge as well as turning patients around at the front door. Our Response Team, the first in Wales to be registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales, assists patients to return home safely and ensures the right support to prevent re-admission.
Since December 2021 Delta Wellbeing’s Blue Army has made a total of 483 referrals for the
Response service. 331 of those referrals were to provide a level of care and support to clients who were awaiting a reablement or long-term package of care. These clients were discharged from hospital on average 5 days earlier with a total of 1,655 bed days being avoided at a cost of £752,363.
Building on the success of Delta CONNECT we want to focus on the development of a new hybrid health and care offer providing enhanced care in the community, furthering integration, faster. Our model of provision will start at home and wherever possible and safe to do so, stay there.
Leveraging technology and data to provide a 360° view of clients we will improve access, equality, and inclusion with improved outcomes and experience, enhance decision making, attract a diverse workforce to boost our regional economy and foster population retention.