It's sometimes difficult to say where social care ends, and health care starts.
Many people who need support will use services both from the NHS and from the Council's Adult Social Care department.
What are we doing to improve services?
It doesn't matter where the support comes from – just as long as it's the right kind of help.
That's why we believe strongly in planning, creating, and commissioning services together with our partners:
It's also why we are adapting our internal systems, so that staff across these different organisations can work together for the benefit of local people.
Examples of services where we work closely with the NHS
Mental health services are a typical example of our joint working. Social workers and health staff often work side by side to support individuals. At an organisational level, a particular day service might be run by the county council but specialist residential support is provided by the Sussex NHS Partnership Trust.
Services for older people are another area where close partnership working is having real effects. Did you know our social workers operate in hospitals?
After an operation, you may be medically well – that is, you don't need a hospital bed – but you may still find you need to build up your strength. In this case, a social worker could put in place arrangements to help you return home safely and to receive help from a paid carer who visits you in the first few weeks to help with some of the basics, such as getting dressed or preparing food.
Who are our main partners in Health?
Our main partners in health are:
East Sussex County Council