ICB celebrates its first anniversary – and 75 years of the National Health Service

In its first 12 months, the ICB has been working closely with partners, strengthening relationships across local authorities, health and the wider community, to improve integration between health and care.

The ICB has also been a key member in the development of Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Partnership’s strategy and vision for the people in Lancashire and South Cumbria to live longer, healthier, happier lives than they currently do.

In the week that NHS staff are being celebrated nationally for their hard work and dedication over the last 75 years, staff working across Lancashire and South Cumbria are being recognised for their part in improving the health and care experiences of people living in the region.

Over the past year, a number of schemes and projects have been developed or expanded under the new organisation to support the integration of health and care. These include:

• The Orange Button Scheme gives our communities skills to help people who are struggling with their mental health and who are having thoughts of suicide. Orange Button holders are a community of 2,700 active listeners, trained in suicide prevention who support people struggling with their mental health.
• Our Population Health and Health Equity Academy provides a forum for our partners across Lancashire and South Cumbria with a single shared approach to innovative learning and development and the goal of improving health inequalities and population health. 
• Our Cytoprime project is a non-invasive cancer detection device for diagnosing Barrett's oesophagus which has improved patient experience and reduced appointment duration in patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria. It also diverts patients away from hospitals, reducing waiting lists and offering a more comfortable experience over endoscopy.
• Hugely increasing the quality and number of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities, who might not ordinarily access health services, detecting problems early and monitoring existing conditions.  

ICB chief executive officer Kevin Lavery, said: “I would like to personally thank all of the people working in the ICB and in the wider NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria. They do an amazing job for patients, as they have been doing for the last 75 years. We know that there are lots of events planned this week to reward staff for their hard work.

“It’s important to look back and celebrate the progress we have made in the last 12 months within challenging circumstances, and I am looking forward to seeing many more examples of how our hard-working staff improve the lives of people in Lancashire and South Cumbria.”

For more information about NHS75 go to england.nhs.uk/nhsbirthday/about-the-nhs-birthday/