Health and care services meet at 'Home First' collaboration event

MCALS hosts Manx Care and third sector groups at The Roundhouse

Manx Care's Advice and Liaison Service hosted a collaboration event this week to give people the chance to learn more about the "Home First" approach.

Members of the public were invited to The Roundhouse in Braddan to find out more about how local teams are working together to help people stay well and independent in their own homes for longer.

Michelle Breed, Head of the Intermediate Care Service, explains what Home First means, and how they can ensure any individuals being discharged from hospital is returning home safely:

Jo Standish is Senior Matron for Medicine and Urgent Care and Corinna Haire is Matron for Outpatient Services:

A range of services and third sector representatives were on hand to discuss what they do and how they fit in to the Home First model.

Manx charity Sight Matters brought along a virtual reality headset which let the wearer experience what it's like to have various visual impairments, from glaucoma to cataracts.

Catherine Bradley is the Chief Executive of Sight Matters and Lesley Hankinson is Manx Care's Eye Clinic Liaison Officer:

"These events are great to be able to tell people what we do and what difference we're making in people's lives."

Claire Cubberley is the Local Service Manager for Alzheimer's Society:

The Island's sexual health clinic also plays a part in the Home First model in that it provides services such as screening, preventing onward infection and keeping patients out of hospital. 

Ella Raine is a Specialist Nurse working at the MISH Centre in Douglas:

Manx Care said the Home First Collaboration Event reflects its 'commitment to improving care through integration, innovation, and partnership – ensuring that people receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time'.