Project to improve service access in rural areas picks up award
A project supported by the Trust, which aims to improve access to health services for people in rural areas, has won a national award.
Rachel Williams is a consultant respiratory practitioner for the Trust. She has joined forces with other sectors to create a Farming Health Hub, serving north Cornwall. It aims to provide advice, support, and guidance to farming communities at local venues. This includes livestock markets and pop-up venues. This means that farmers and their families have access to advice.
Rachel has been working with primary and community sectors, market chaplaincy, Imagine If and Exeter University. The team came up with a place-based care idea in the form of the Farming Health Hub.
At the Personalised Care Awards, the team received the 'Working Together Differently Award'.
Rachel says:
"This award is a great achievement. It reflects the dedication, collaboration, and innovation within the team. I'm so proud of what we've achieved so far.
"Rural and coastal communities face unique challenges in accessing services.
"The aim is to enhance the health and well-being of our rural communities. Promoting place-based care through a sustainable farming health hub model."
This place-based care is co-produced with the farming community. It is tailored to individual need.
Rachel says:
"It is a model that doesn't just treat illness. It understands people, their context, and their lives."
Rachel attended the awards. She was joined by Vicky Parker (Ruby Country PCN operations manager) Sue Banks (market chaplain and retired vet), Gemma Brailey and Kirsty Tooke (both Exeter University).
The Farming Health Hub takes place every Wednesday at Holsworthy livestock market. There is 1 community navigator post, 1 nursing post, 1 HCA (from local practice). Reviews can also be carried out outside of the livestock market.
The hub is for anyone attending the market. It is not just for people who are registered with the local GP practice. They can get basic health checks, condition specific reviews with specialist services. There is also accidental counselling training, prevention, and health coaching. The hub is also working with public health and other governmental bodies (DEFRA).
The hub brings care closer to home - bringing services to the livestock market for our under-served farming communities. The hub uses experts within the market (the market chaplain is now one of the research assistants). All are linked to the neighbourhood health agenda.
The project is being evaluated by Exeter University and PPIE (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement). By doing this we can learn more about what aspects work and any that do not.