Integrated Care in Northamptonshire improves support for veterans through digital sharing
Integrated Care in Northamptonshire improves support for veterans through digital sharing
As we approach Remembrance Day, health and care services in Northamptonshire have strengthened their commitment to veterans by putting their data into action within the Northamptonshire Analytics and Reporting Platform . (NARP)
NARP now can flag over 6,000 veterans in Northamptonshire and examine data from across health and social care. It also can help clinicians to identify patients for direct care purposes.
The Armed Forces community can face unique and additional health and social care needs due to deployment, trauma, frequent relocation, reservist commitments, or adjusting to civilian life. Having a system that recognises and addresses these helps reduce inequality.
This means equal access, equal quality, and where appropriate, priority or special consideration (for example service-related conditions) so that the system is responsive and fair.
Integrated Care Northamptonshire is signed up to The Armed Forces Covenant - a national pledge that states that people who serve (regular or reserve), who have served, and their families should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens when accessing public and commercial services. In some cases, special consideration is appropriate, for example the injured, bereaved, or those who have sacrificed especially.
For ICN, embedding the covenant means moving from a generic “one size fits all” service to one that has awareness and responsiveness built in for this group, which helps improve outcomes for them and supports better integration across health/social care/housing/employment.
Director of Nursing, Mandy Staples explained how valuable the data is:
“Having this data at our fingertips helps us ensure we are delivering veteran-aware and veteran-friendly services. It supports continuity of care, especially for those who may move or have served abroad, and it links up physical health, mental health and social care issues for the Armed Forces community.”
Director of Digital, Kirstie Watson shared:
“Using our data to tackle inequalities that exist in our health and social care is extremely important. We have strong data sharing arrangements across Northamptonshire with our key NHS and Local Authority Services and this means we can build digital tools to support better awareness of health inequalities. We are very proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant in this way.”
If you are a serving or former member of the armed forces (or family) living in Northamptonshire, under ICN’s implementation of the Covenant you could expect:
- Being asked or able to flag your status (serving/reserve/veteran) when accessing GP, hospital, mental health or social care services.
- Access to veteran-friendly or veteran-aware GP practices or hospital trusts, which understand some of your specific needs.
- Ensured that your service history is considered when assessing your care, for example if a condition is linked to service, you may receive appropriate priority or signposting.
- Integrated care planning that links health, social care, housing, employment if needed.
- Local drop-in hubs and partner services specialising in the armed forces community for advice around health, mental health, housing, benefits and employment.
- That the ICB and partner bodies in Northamptonshire are actively including your needs in their service design, so you are not overlooked or disadvantaged within the health and care system.