New model of care sees big drop in Isles of Scilly fly-offs
"We know we can build the neighbourhood health service, because teams in Cornwall, Camden and Northumbria are already showing us how to do it." That was Health Secretary Wes Streeting's statement in his afterword of the 10-Year Health Plan. On the Isles of Scilly, it very much rings true!
Work to build a new integrated health and social care facility on the islands has hit some major milestones this year. Not least the opening of the new Isles of Scilly Hospital Wing in July. A state-of-the-art modular unit which is now welcoming its first patients. However, the project has always been more than just a building.
"We are at a really exciting time on the islands of working with our partner agencies. We are having lots of integrated workshops. Not only are we learning about other people's roles, we are also identifying ways that we can work together much more effectively and efficiently for the good of the people of our islands. A lot less crossover, more streamlined services, and better care delivered closer to home. It means we are seeing the right person, at the right place, and at the right time."
Celia Hicks, Staff Nurse, Isles of Scilly Hospital
Integrated neighbourhood care in practice
The vision is to future-proof the islands health and care services for years to come. Led by our NHS and adult social care team of teams, the new model of care aims to achieve just that. In fact, we are already doing it.
The multi-disciplinary team is working together to deliver more care on the doorstep. That includes our Hospital at Home Service, which is fully up and running on the islands. It enables patients to receive hospital level care in their own home or care home.
"The success of the build project is mirrored by the collaboration between our health and social care teams. They have worked alongside the community on the Isles of Scilly to shape a future-ready model of care.
"What is truly inspiring is their unwavering commitment to provide care as close to home as possible. They are embracing innovative ways of working, both locally and in partnership with mainland colleagues. By strengthening these connections and building on long-standing relationships, the team is showing how this integrated approach can enhance access to services and deliver better outcomes for residents and visitors alike."
Chris Mitchell, Head of Integrated Professions (West)
Making the most of digital technology
A key focus is using digital technology to better connect the off-islands to the hospital and the hospital to the mainland. Progress is being made on work to provide new equipment, as well to upskill colleagues on the islands to be able to use it. We are:
- installing new diagnostic machines to allow clinicians to carry out a range of blood tests, there and then
- working with partners to extend the availability of imaging, with the aim of training staff on the islands to take x-rays
- fitting large screens and cameras to enable remote appointments with consultants on the mainland
- exploring how we can improve support for people with mental health conditions and young people in the islands
Not only will this work further enhance assessments, it will also prevent possible unnecessary transfers to the mainland for treatment or outpatient appointments.
The results speak for themselves
Our new model of care and advances in digital technology are already delivering results. We have seen a big drop in the number of medevac fly-offs from the islands to the mainland. There were 74 between April and September 2025. That is down almost 30% on the same period last year.
"What we are able to do on Scilly is to forget the organisation that we work for and consider ourselves to be working for the team here on Scilly. It has got really big benefits to us as staff. For patients, it means that we can make the best use of resources. A patient is not treated by me working for the health centre, they are treated by us working for the whole team. This means we are able to be very patient focussed in the way that we approach patient care."
Dr John Garman, Clinical Lead, Isles of Scilly Integrated Neighbourhood Team
We asked Celia, John, and colleagues across the Isles of Scilly Integrated Neighbourhood Team to sum up our new way of working. In this video, they tell us how it is making a real difference to patients and families.
All of this work aligns to both the 10-Year Health Plan and the 3 shifts highlighted by Lord Darzi: Hospital to community, analogue to digital, and treatment to prevention.
We expect the new care home wing to open towards the end of 2025. This will be followed by a formal opening of the whole facility in the new year. Once fully up and running, it will be named the Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership.