The success of the ground-breaking Jean Bishop ICC in Hull has been featured as a case study on the Social Enterprise UK website, joining existing examples of good practice from across the UK. This continuing recognition highlights the centre’s pioneering approach to providing integrated care for frail older people and underscores the significant positive impact it has had on patients and their carers. The case study outlines how the team worked together in Hull cut emergency admissions for frail people by 50%. There are nearly 3 million people who can be described as living with frailty in the UK, and they require about 40% of all hospital beds and GP resources.
The Jean Bishop ICC, which opened its doors in 2018, represents a unique collaboration within the NHS. The healthcare facility was designed and built in partnership with Community Health Partnerships, Hull Citycare (LIFTCo), City Health Care Partnership (CHCP) CIC (the service provider), Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, Hull City Council, and the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
The Jean Bishop ICC was specifically designed to support individuals identified by their GPs as being at high risk of hospital admission, offering a clinically-led, multi-disciplinary team approach to manage their long-term conditions closer to home.
Benefits for patients and the NHS
When the centre opened, the team set a target to reach 3,000 people with severe frailty in Hull, within two years they had reached 90% of this group.
This led to:
- a 50% reduction in emergency admissions for the most severely frail in that group
- 10-25% reduction in GP visits for the remainder of the group.
Work with a wider cohort with less severe frailty has led to:
- an overall reduction in A&E admissions for people over 80 by 13.6%
- and for residents in care homes by 18%
- a reduction in medicine costs of £100 per person per year.
About Jean Bishop ICC
The ICC is predominantly single storey building with areas for easy accessibility. The centre’s co-location with a fire station, where the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service conducts home safety assessments, demonstrates a unique and proactive approach to preventing falls and promoting overall wellbeing. The presence of a volunteer-run café and a sensory garden further contributes to a welcoming and therapeutic environment.
The multidisciplinary services are delivered by City Health Care Partnership (CHCP) CIC, a social enterprise committed to delivering high-quality, community-focused care. CHCP (CIC) provide a wide range of high-quality health and care services in Hull, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Knowsley and St Helens. Dr Dan Harman, and Dr Ann Folwell, Consultant Community Geriatricians, the co-leads for Jean Bishop ICC, oversee the multidisciplinary team.
Since its opening, the Jean Bishop ICC has supported over 12,000 people (2018-2023) and reached 90% of the target population to date. The team provides individualised care plans and access to a comprehensive range of services. This includes consultations with geriatricians and GPs, specialist nursing in frailty, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, pharmacy support, and social care teams. The centre acts as a crucial hub for rapid assessment and early intervention for conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Coming here has made a real difference. I feel listened to, and they’ve helped me manage my health so much better. It’s a weight off my mind knowing I have this support.
About the Social Enterprise UK case study
The Social Enterprise UK case study, published in April 2025, looks into the innovative model of care at the Jean Bishop ICC and its impact. By bringing together a diverse range of healthcare professionals under one roof, the centre facilitates seamless coordination and a holistic approach to patient well-being. This integrated model not only benefits patients but also provides crucial support for their carers.
Key highlights from the Social Enterprise UK case study include:
- Reduced Hospital Admissions: The integrated care model has demonstrably contributed to a reduction in unplanned hospital admissions for frail older people in Hull.
- Enhanced Patient Experience: Patients benefit from timely access to a range of specialists, personalised care plans, and the convenience of receiving care closer to their homes. The on-site diagnostic services, including ultrasound, X-ray, and phlebotomy, further enhance this accessibility.
- Improved Quality of Life: By proactively managing long-term conditions and providing tailored support, the Jean Bishop ICC empowers patients to maintain their independence and enjoy a better quality of life for longer.
To read the full Social Enterprise UK case study and learn more about the work of the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre, please visit: www.socialenterprise.org.uk/the-Jean-Bishop-Centre-CHCP (4 April 2025).
We know that taking a holistic approach to the health and care of older people works. Our ambition now is to consider the needs of all our communities and create a consistent approach to the health and wellbeing of older people. The work at the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre has already had measurable outcomes, which includes a reduction in emergency hospital attendances and admissions for people living with frailty.
The Jean Bishop ICC is an example of how integrated care, delivered through a social enterprise model, can completely transform the lives of frail older people. CHP recognises the exceptional work of City Health Care Partnership CIC in making the Jean Bishop ICC a resounding success. This feature on the Social Enterprise UK website serves as a testament to the power of innovative, community-focused healthcare delivery.
The nature of our role at Citycare means we spend a lot of our time in and around healthcare buildings. What always strikes me about the Jean Bishop ICC is how different it feels from the norm and the way in which the team have built such a spirit of community and support, for both patients and each other, whilst providing such transformational and high quality care.
CHP recognises the exceptional work of City Health Care Partnership CIC in making the Jean Bishop ICC a resounding success. This feature on the Social Enterprise UK website serves as a testament to the power of innovative, community-focused healthcare delivery and its ability to transform the lives of frail older people.
CHP remains committed to supporting initiatives like the team at Jean Bishop ICC that demonstrate best practices in integrated care and deliver tangible benefits to patients and communities across the England.
Read CHP’s case study: Case study: Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre
National Impact and Recognition for Jean Bishop ICC
The pioneering work of the award-winning Jean Bishop ICC has had a significant impact beyond Hull, influencing the development of frailty services across the NHS. It serves as a model for integrated care, demonstrating the benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach and close collaboration between health and social care professionals.
The centre has been featured in several NHS case studies, highlighting its innovative approach and positive outcomes for patients:
- NHS England: Centre’s integrated services transform care for frail and elderly residents (published 2023)
- NHS England: Integrated healthcare transforms care for frail and elderly (published 2023) – blog from Dr Dan Harman, Consultant Community Geriatrician, Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre.
- NHS Employers: A place to meet the needs of people living with frailty (22 June 2023)
The Jean Bishop ICC has had extensive media attention, further showcasing its innovative approach:
- New NHS centre to support aging population – BBC News (14 July 2024)
- How Hull’s virtual wards keep frail patients out of hospital – BBC News (21 Feb 2024).
- The centre was featured as a case study in the BBC Panorama: The NHS – can it be fixed? (21 Jan 2023).
