Two senior NHS England officials have visited the area to see first-hand the work taking place to transform health and social care in the area.

NHS England non-executive board members Lord Victor Adebowale and Michelle Mitchell were hosted by NHS Mansfield and Ashfield and Newark and Sherwood Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

Their visit included meetings with some of the people responsible for reorganising and leading changes to the way health and social care services are provided.

These included senior representatives from Sherwood Forest Hospitals, which runs King’s Mill, Mansfield Community and Newark hospitals; NHS commissioners; GPs; and Nottinghamshire County Council, as well as patient/citizen representatives and the voluntary sector.

The board members were given a tour of Newark Hospital.

The visit was part of a nationwide tour where work is taking place between commissioners and health care providers to integrate and improve health and social care service.

The aim is to strengthen the sustainability of services for future generations though more integrated and joined-up working between GPs, health care staff and social care.

NHS England announced in December that health and social care organisations in Mansfield and Ashfield and Newark and Sherwood have received £6.626m of new funding, specifically to support and spread the work of the Better Together Mid Nottinghamshire new care model vanguard.

The vanguard is a partnership of NHS, local government, voluntary, community and other organisations that are implementing plans to improve the healthcare people receive, prevent ill health and save funds.

Health bosses said considerable progress had been made since the vanguards were launched in 2015 and there was evidence they were making significant improvements at a local level.

That included reducing pressure on busy GP and A&E services.

Michelle Mitchell said: “I have been most inspired by the excellent leadership and the problem solving skills of the multi-disciplinary teams of health and social care workers.

“There is a sense of improving people’s health outcomes and building teams, building relationships and building confidence; critical to affect the transformational change that is needed in the communities.”

Dr Amanda Sullivan, chief officer for NHS Newark and Sherwood and Mansfield and Ashfield CCG, said: “I am proud to showcase how we are working differently here in Nottinghamshire to give patients the best service possible, in the right place, the first time.

“We have been successful in creating new teams of health and social care workers, introduced changes to our urgent care centres and supported GP practices so the people in their communities who are most at risk can receive the care they need at the time they need it the most. The changes have had remarkable results in relieving pressure on our A&E services and allowed more effective discharge of patients so they can leave hospital earlier and ease pressure on GPs so they can see more patients during surgery hours.

“These changes are essential as the health and social care organisations work close together to safeguard the NHS and social care system so it remains sustainable for future generations.”

Pictured from left, Hayley Allison, assistant chief operating officer Sherwood Forest Hospitals; NHS England non-executive director Michelle Mitchell; NHS England non-executive director Lord Victor Adebowale; the chief officer for NHS Newark and Sherwood and Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commisioning Groups, Amanda Sullivan; and the director of strategic planning and commercial development at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Peter Wozencroft.