In this Newsletter
1. Sum Up Social Care
i) Happy Easter!
ii) Misunderstood
iii) Neighbourhood Health Series – Housing Associations
iv) New Leadership Series – Breakthrough Behaviours for Safer, Calmer, High Performing Care Teams
v) Very Short Survey!
vi) IHSCM Leadership Theatre at The Care Show
2. Events for April 2026
i) Happy Easter
Wishing all our members a very Happy Easter!
ii) Misunderstood
Allan woke up suddenly, he could feel his nose dripping. He turned on his bedroom lamp, grabbed a tissue and dabbed his nose. His heart sank when he realised that his nose had started bleeding again.
He looked at the clock, it was 2 am in the morning.
This had happened a number of times before, too many to count. At 91, he was becoming increasingly frustrated, not only with his declining health but also the system of which he had to operate in.
He knew the nosebleed would mean a trip to A & E, a long wait, and probably a hospital admission. He was all too familiar with the process. His nose would need to be packed, a balloon inserted and then wait to see when it stops. It could take a few hours or a few days, who knows.
With a sigh, he reached for his mobile phone and called his eldest daughter.
They made their way to A & E, and sure enough, as it was early on Sunday morning, the full range of Stockport’s community were also there waiting to be triaged.
As always, all the staff, nurses, doctors, receptionists were polite and kind, doing their best to see as many people as possible under challenging circumstances.
Allan moved through the now well-rehearsed sequence: triage, consultation, assessment. At each stage, he told his story again and again. His history, name, date of birth, conditions, medications etc.
The final assessment nurse was the one who decided whether to admit Allan or not. Allan and his daughter had seen many patients go through her door and either not reappear, or reappear, depending if they’d been admitted or not.
When it was Allan’s turn she was exceptionally kind, and treated him with the compassion of an angel, and admitted him to hospital.
This had taken 8 hours from him entering A & E. Allan was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.
His daughter left him once he had settled, knowing that he was in safe hands. The relief was immense. She was lucky, work understood and allowed her the time she needed.
Allan’s nosebleeds happened because he needed to take Warfarin due to CVD (one of the conditions targeted within the Neighbourhood Health plan). These nosebleeds had led to at least eight hospitalisations.
Additionally, due to his CVD, his legs were prone to swelling and his blood pressure could drop dramatically, which made him more susceptible to falling, resulting in further admissions to hospital.
Due to these multiple conditions, it meant he was under differing NHS teams, from Warfarin clinic, GP, district nurses and of course his frequent trips to hospital. Anyone who has gone through this will know, the systems across health and social care do not talk to one another and it’s exhausting and frustrating, particularly for a 91-year-old.
Having read the Neighbourhood Health Framework published last month I can’t help feeling they have misunderstood what Neighbourhood Health is, or should be.
Neighbourhood Health should start with the person first, asking the question, who is Allan and what does he need, and work outwards from there. The Neighbourhood Plan has a list of objectives and goals for the NHS, not what it wants for the people in communities to achieve.
One of the goals within the Neighbourhood Plan is to prevent “de-conditioning” (not a term I like, as it dehumanises) is how Allan would be categorised as he was experiencing a slow decline in his physical health. But it doesn’t capture what that means for Allan. This can mean different things for different people; it cannot be a one size fits all.
Some key questions I would like to ask the people who are creating this new system.
- Will the system being created truly see Allan as a whole person, understanding not just his physical health, but his environment, his past history, his relationships, his wellbeing?
- Will Allan have any meaningful control over how his care is organised and delivered?
- Will he be able to share his story, his data, and trust that it follows him across the many boundaries he navigates?
- Will those he chooses, family, carers, advocates, be able to stand alongside him, informed and empowered?
- And will anyone regularly ask: Is this working for Allan?
My hope, with my social care hat on, is that the people who are creating the Neighbourhood Health system for the NHS reach out to all parts of social care (not just local authority run social care). The IHSCM members I speak to are already delivering amazing person led support, supporting the NHS and delivering much better outcomes for people, which could help create a system that works for all.
Delegated health care tasks are a way for social care to support communities but this must be appropriately funded. These tasks require skills and knowledge that go far above minimum or living wage.
Otherwise, they have misunderstood.
In memory of Allan (my Dad).
iii) Neighbourhood Health Series – Housing Associations
This is the first in our series that starts to explore each part of the Neighbourhood Health “System” which we all live in. Our aim is to provide a much deeper understanding of the system itself in the hope that it will promote cross boundary working and collaboration in health and social care.
We are delighted to welcome Trivallis and Sanctuary Housing Association. This first session will explore how housing associations create thriving communities that actively foster health and wellbeing through strengths-based approaches.
Rather than focusing solely on needs and deficits, this session will highlight how identifying and mobilising the assets, talents and relationships already present within communities can transform outcomes for individuals and services alike.
This is an open event for all, not just our members so please do share with anyone who you think would benefit from attending. To book click here.
iv) New Leadership Series – Breakthrough Behaviours for Safer, Calmer, High Performing Teams
Care teams across health and social care are stretched, tired, and often stuck in patterns that drain time, increase risk, and erode morale.
Yet small, targeted behavioural shifts can create immediate improvements: fewer delays, fewer mistakes, calmer shifts, and stronger team culture.
This six-part interactive workshop series — designed and delivered by Chris Garrard, Founder, Resilient Healthcare Teams — tackles the most common behavioural patterns that hold teams back.
For more information click here.
v) Very Short Survey!
Please take a moment to complete our brief two-question survey—it will take less than 30 seconds. Please click here to complete.
vi) IHSCM at The Care Show London 29th and 30th April
We are delighted to be attending the Care Show in London this year and we have our very own Leadership Theatre. We are by our members, for our members which is why we are delighted that many will be speaking at these sessions, sharing their valuable insight into leading in challenging times.
With a brand-new look and a renewed commitment to the sector’s needs, Care Show London 2026 returns to Excel London this April. As the UK’s trusted event for care professionals, it brings together 3,500+ attendees for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration. To register for the Care Show click here.
To view our Leadership Theatre Programme, click here
2. Events for April 2026
13th April – 12 till 1.15pm – IHSCM Spotlight: Pathways to Health Equity and Inclusive Care – For more info and to book click here
16th April – 11 till 12pm – Power Hour – Housing Associations and their impact on Neighbourhood Health – In the first of our series on Neighbourhood Health, we are delving into the world of Housing Associations and the critical role they play across communities within the UK. For more info and to book click here
16th April – 12 till 1.30pm – Women in Leadership – Inclusive Leadership Practices – This workshop is designed to be a practical, hands on workshop to strengthen inclusive leadership, reduce bias, and build equitable team cultures. For more info and to book click here
Interested in developing Practical Leadership Skills for yourself or your team?
DON’T FORGET! We have a range of CPD accredited short course masterclasses available that you can complete any time to suit you. Whether you are an aspiring leader or already lead teams, there are many courses to choose from. Take a look here.
We also provide in-person leadership workshops across the country through our care associations and community hub partners. If you would like to find out more please email Sue Jones, [email protected].
If there is a topic you would like us to cover we are more than happy to create a session because if it’s something you feel you need then it is likely others will do too.
For any queries or comments regarding this newsletter, please contact Sue Jones, [email protected].
