Healthy Communities Collaborative
"Promoting early presentation of cancer symptoms."
"Promoting early indentification of cardiovascular disease"
The Healthy Communities Collaborative aims, through two distinct services, to:
- promote the earlier presentation of symptoms of bowel, breast and lung cancers in primary care, in order to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment
- promote early identification, assessment and management of people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Why?
- Communities are vital to improving health, and can play a significant role in promoting an individual's self-esteem and mental well-being by reducing exclusion.
- Help and encouragement from friends, neighbours and work colleagues can make a significant difference in ensuring that individuals feel supported in making positive choices about their lifestyles.
- Identifying a topic of importance to a community will prompt community action.
What difference does it make?
"For the first time, since the death of her sister a year ago from breast cancer, one of our residents talked about cancer … Attending your session and the extra time you spent with her has made a real difference." (care home)
- An increase in the number of urgent referrals through primary into secondary care for suspected cancers of the bowel, breast and lung.
- An increase in the number of people on general practice on high risk registers for cardiovascular disease; and an increase in the number who are prescribed lipid lowering drugs.
- A measurable improvement in social and human capital in the designated ward areas.
Who?
All local people.
Where?
In the City of Salford - in selected target areas.
How?
- develop multi-agency teams that are responsible for the identification and targeting of priority groups in their communities
- raise awareness and educate people about earlier recognition and presentation of cancer symptoms or risks of cardiovascular disease
- work with professional networks and screening programmes, and support primary care in the implementation of best practice
- learn and test during action periods, interspersed with learning workshops
Commissioned by NHS Salford
Contact: Healthy Communities Collaborative Project Manager on 0161 743 0088
This page was last updated on 26 October 2009
