CASTLE Point and Rochford's Clinic Commissioning Group has been shortlisted for a national awards.

The NHS organisation, which is responsible for planning, buying and monitoring the quality of local healthcare services, has been shortlisted as CCG of the Year in the national Primary Care Awards 2015.

The CCG is one of ten across the country that have been invited to the awards ceremony in London today.

The award category celebrates organisations which have gone the extra mile with respect to integrated working.

The CCG was nominated for its pioneering  care co-ordination service, that delivers care to the more vulnerable patients in Castle Point and Rochford who may be at risk of decline.

Working in partnership with GP practices, the new service will identify those patients whose health is deemed to be at-risk of decline, predominantly the frail elderly and those with long term conditions.

Kevin McKenny Director of Integration & Transformation for NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG who has been at the forefront of developing the service said: “We are very honoured to be shortlisted as CCG of the Year and while it’s nice to be recognised, what we really want is to find a model of care that helps local residents maintain their health and well-being as long as possible in their own home. The initial feedback from this new service is certainly very positive.”

For the first time ever, there will be a unique team of professionals that includes care co-ordinators, GPs, community geriatrician, nurses, community pharmacists, social workers and voluntary sector support services, including Age UK Essex, operating in partnership in each locality in Castle Point and Rochford.

The team will assess individuals at highest risk of health and care decline and put care plans in place that aim to prevent their deterioration and maintain their health and well-being as long as possible in their own home.

Dr Mike Saad, Chair for NHS Castle Point and Rochford and local GP said:“We are at the start of a very exciting journey to transform the way care is coordinated and delivered by bringing together health, social care, the voluntary sector and communities. Our vision is for an integrated system that enables people to access seamless care to help them live the lives they want.”

Gary Clinton, from Age UK Essex, said: "Time and time again older people are being let down and having to struggle on alone or being admitted to hospital when it could be prevented. This service will ensure that care is co-ordinated around the needs of the patient.”

Malcolm McCann, Executive Director of Integrated Services from South Essex University NHS Foundation Partnership Trust (SEPT) who will be delivering the service said: “We see this as a great opportunity to work with our colleagues in health and social care to anticipate the needs of vulnerable patients and put plans in place to care for more people at home. Patients want to be cared for at home for as long as possible and our project has this goal in mind.”