DOCTORS, social workers and community nurses have started working in four teams across Blackburn with Darwen, as part of a £12 million project to provide better care.

For several years there have been efforts to get health and social care workers to operate in ‘localities’ within the borough, so they can better understand the needs of patients within each area.

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Although GPs are likely to be familiar with patients on their own practice register, an increasing number of patients are now referred to social services and community support.

And these support workers have previously covered larger areas, so often found themselves dealing with new cases.

But now, four teams of social workers and community nurses will focus around groups of GP surgeries, in each of Darwen and the north, east and west of Blackburn.

The project involves the council, commissioners, hospital staff, mental health workers, volunteers and faith groups, and benefits from the £12 million Better Care Fund, which pools health and social care budget.

The idea is to tackle the root cause of people’s problems, to avoid GPs being faced with issues which they can do little to solve, which is a waste of NHS resources.

Dr Chris Clayton, clinical chief officer at Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This is really positive news that will benefit a whole range of staff and volunteers working in Blackburn with Darwen, supporting them to work in a more integrated way.

“People of Blackburn with Darwen have told us they would like access to local teams that are familiar, communicate well and help them navigate the health and care system when they need it. Investing in our workforce should enable this to happen.”

Cllr Mohammed Khan, the council’s health and social care boss, said: “Integrated care is the answer to managing the demand on health and care services in the long term and we’re already seeing positive results.”