The organisation works collaboratively across an integrated care system to promote, protect and improve health and support the local community.
Case studies
Collaborative working improves diagnosis of liver disease
A collaboration between hospital specialists, general practice and public health in Leeds is seeking to diagnose liver disease earlier. Public health data specialists can identify areas within the city with high prevalence of obesity or alcohol consumption where there will be a correspondingly high rate of liver disease. GPs in these areas have access to diagnostic tests to easily identify people who may have advanced disease. People with abnormal results are then reviewed in a liver clinic, run in GP practices by hospital specialists. Over the first six months over 250 people have been tested and 100 of these seen by liver specialists. Thirty cases have shown signs of significant disease and have received further tests of treatment that might not otherwise have been started.
An integrated approach to frailty
The city of Leeds has committed to delivering person-centred, proactive, and coordinated care for people living with frailty through integrated health and care services. Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) is a core participant in this work. Leaders across the trust are working to align hospital service development to local system strategic priorities for people living with frailty. LTHT public health staff have supported this work by helping to strengthen relationships with partners, promoting more integrated patient pathways, recommending proactive and preventative inpatient services that recognise the multi-dimensional influences on frailty and valuing personal choice for patients. This approach aims to improve local population health and outcomes that matter to people, as well as patient flow, care quality and service sustainability at LTHT.