Rob Hurd, Chief Executive of North West London ICS, has been supporting the Hounslow and Ealing borough team as they deliver meaningful health support to our local communities.
[Pictured right: Rob Hurd, Chief Executive, and Judi George and Georgia Dean from the Hounslow and Ealing borough team].
Our engagement teams across north west London play a vital role in connecting with our communities, ensuring their healthcare needs are being met and their concerns are being acknowledged.
Throughout June and July, NW London ICS Chief Executive, Rob Hurd has visited the Ealing and Hounslow team at The Treaty Centre Shop Unit to see firsthand the impact of our community engagement.
The team have been focused on addressing some of the most prevelant health problems and concerns among residents, which are: diabetes, bowel cancer and GP access. Below are some of their key learnings from this outreach.
Diabetes
Many residents in Ealing and Hounslow have a personal connection to someone who has, or is at risk of developing diabetes. However, many have limited knowledge of how this health condition is effectively managed, or what prevention measures are available for those who are at risk.
The team engaged in several productive conversations, particularly with younger residents, about type 2 diabetes prevention programmes and the importance of diet management in reducing risk of diabetes. It was great to discover that those who had engaged with the prevention programmes, such as the Know Diabetes REWIND programme, had seen such positive change, and some were even in remission.
Many people took away information, either for themselves or to share with higher-risk family members. To continue raising awareness about diabetes and type 2 diabetes prevention programmes, the team has now secured a regular slot at Morrisons supermarket in Ealing.
Bowel Cancer
90% of people with stage 1 bowel cancer will survive their cancer for 5+ years after diagnosis. This highlights just how important early detection and diagnosis is. It is achieved by increasing awareness of symptoms to look out for and which services to access, including the national programme providing test kits to those who are high risk.
When speaking with residents, it became clear that more support is needed to make sure our older population can easily access bowel cancer information and services. Some residents reflected that they have had to rely on family members to help them in the past. This emphasises the barrier to healthcare access for those who aren’t digitally literate or engaged, a barrier that our engagement teams are here to address. The Ealing and Hounslow team have been able to engage with residents who are otherwise harder to reach and provide them with the information they need on bowel cancer, there and then.
GP Access
Access to GP appointments is a common concern amongst local residents, and is a priority for us to address. Many people said they find it difficult to get appointments while working full-time, and some feel that once they get an appointment their health concerns aren’t always appropriately acknowledged or escalated.
By working more closely with staff in primary care going forward, the Ealing and Hounslow team will be in a better position to answer resident’s questions and can share the most up-to-date information. The team will therefore be able to provide greater reassurance on GP access and signpost to the wide range of alternative NHS pathways that could help address their health concerns.
The Hounslow and Ealing borough team, alongside all our engagement colleagues in NW London, are here to help address the healthcare needs of residents and raise awareness of the services that are available. The work they do offers a brilliant example of how integrated working can improve health outcomes across our communities.