The Bluebell Apartments, run by Durham County Council in partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), have been named Provider of the Year at this year’s Inclusion North Awards.
The award recognises both organisations’ commitment to genuine partnership working. It also highlights their dedication to improving outcomes for autistic people and those with a learning disability and complex needs, who may be at risk of hospital admission through community care accommodation.
Bluebell Apartments are based at the council’s Hawthorn House in Durham. They provide a homely but robust environment that offers intensive assessment and support.
Staff can support people in the apartments from a few days to a few months, depending on their individual needs.
A partnership approach
Cllr Howard Brown, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: “This recognition from Inclusion North is a fantastic achievement for all those involved in providing care at the Bluebell Apartments.
“In addition to acknowledging the apartments’ fantastic care environment, it also highlights the positive impact of partnership working. It’s crucial that we continue to work together to offer people a wide range of support and interventions. These are often a much better alternative to hospital admissions and lead to better outcomes for those in need.
“We’re extremely grateful to our teams for all their work to support residents across County Durham, and for the support they provide each other. I’d like to congratulate them all on this well-deserved achievement.”
Benefits of working together
Working together brings substantial benefits. From shared learning and joint decision-making to streamlining the assessment process and ensuring timely access to care. By working collaboratively on care planning, we can consider people’s wider health and social care needs in a coordinated way. This helps to enhance their overall experience and outcomes.
Sian Savage, programme lead for mental health and learning disabilities integrated services, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and County Durham Care Partnership said: “The partnership is committed to supporting more people to live well in their local community and to reduce hospital admissions.
“This approach to community care provides an opportunity to tailor care, assessment and intervention to a person’s individual needs. I’m genuinely grateful to be involved in this service and to work alongside such dedicated people. It’s a real privilege.”
Recognition
Hannah Tough, Inclusion North’s Chief Executive Officer said: “This award recognises the real impact that comes from working together. We’re proud to collaborate with partners who are committed to improving outcomes for autistic people and people with a learning disability across our region, and we’re pleased to see this work celebrated. A huge well done to all involved.”
