On 12 April, Community Health Partnerships CEO Wendy Farrington-Chadd took part in a panel discussion entitled ‘harnessing the power of the primary and community estate’ at a MaST Estates Partnership and Bury, Tameside and Glossop Estates Partnership hosted event in Eccles. The Integral and FES Group sponsored event supported local charity Action for Children and saw Wendy joined by Former Leigh MP, and current Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, who made the keynote speech.
During his speech, Andy Burnham spoke about the need to ‘unpack’ how the healthcare estate operates outside of traditional NHS use. He explored how spaces can become multi-disciplinary to create a better space for a ‘health in all’ approach to healthcare. In addition, Burnham discussed the importance of ‘social prescribing’ post pandemic throughout the NHS estate. In areas of inequality, LIFT buildings raise the experience for healthcare settings and can be designed to create a ‘live well’ service. The challenge is therefore utilising buildings to their full potential.
“Going forward, we are committed to adapting our facilities to the changing needs of local communities. The LIFT estate provides a key cornerstone for the development of placed based care.” – Wendy Farrington-Chadd
The panel also comprised of Elaine Siew, Chief Executive, gbpartnerships group and Charlotte Douglass, Director, MaST Estates Partnership and Bury, Tameside and Glossop Estates Partnership. Chaired by Lord Keith Bradley, the discussion undertook topics including utilisation of buildings, the future of LIFT post-pandemic, and new perspectives on the health system after Covid.
Charlotte Douglass, Director, MaST Estates Partnership and Bury, Tameside and Glossop Estates Partnership, proposed that the large cohort of LIFT buildings across Greater Manchester not only provides access to out of hospital care to areas of inequality, but relief the fear of needing to visit hospital.
She supposed the idea that buildings work better when they reflect the communities around them. Furthermore, with the new development of ICS’, Douglass suggested that there needs to be a coordinated approach regarding various initiatives, such as addressing the climate emergency and embracing digital technology throughout the estate.
Wendy Farrington-Chadd noted: “‘It was fantastic to take part in the panel discussion and to hear about the vital role our buildings continue to play in providing local services.’
“Going forward, we are committed to adapting our facilities to the changing needs of local communities. The LIFT estate provides a key cornerstone for the development of placed based care. CHP is working with the emerging ICS to support their future plans which will, we hope, see more services provided in local communities.’
In attendance was Andy Muir, Regional Director for the North West at CHP, he added: “This was a brilliant event and a great opportunity to hear Andy Burnham’s thoughts and views on the next steps for LIFT, as well as a chance to listen to the views and input from our colleagues within Salford and from across the Combined Authority.”
“The session was a genuine opportunity to discuss some of the challenges and options for how to utilise our buildings further to best support our local communities, not just in Greater Manchester, but across the North West region. The event was also a chance to meet colleagues face to face since the start of the pandemic which was an added bonus.”
21 April 2022
