THE creation of the UK’s first integrated healthcare organisation is showing early signs of success, according to those in charge.

Martin Woodford, former chief executive of Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust and now leader of the new Wye Valley NHS Trust, said the organisation had enjoyed positive feedback in its first month of existence.

“People can see the benefits of our concentration on identifying vulnerable patients before urgent care needs arise, so that we predict and prevent illness early on,” he said.

The organisation unites previously separate hospital, primary care trust and adult care services and came in on April 1 alongside another specialist outlet for mental health, learning disability and substance misuse called the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Woodford, 2gether leader Shaun Clee and Herefordshire Council chief executive Chris Bull hope the partnership between the three will bring less duplication, less red tape and a stronger route to effective treatment.

“We will use our experience and expertise as a specialist provider together with our comitment to the communities we serve to help make a real difference to people’s lives,” Mr Clee said.

After several years’ work with patients and care professionals, GPs now have a crucial role in designing, purchasing and tailoring health care specifically for patients.

Emphasis is also placed on fair and equal access to health and social care services for all users, who should have a greater voice and choice in how their care is managed.

“We’re working to improve services and the experience of those services in a much more efficient way – providing the right care at the right time, in the right place, ideally as close to people’s homes as possible,” Mr Bull said.

“With the right support people can live independently, rather than relying on institutionalised care.”