The Cluster Management Team in Seaton, Axminster and Sidmouth were very pleased to host a visit from Jeff Jerome, who is the National Director for Social Care Transformation.  Mr Jerome has been described as the “National Personalisation Supremo” and has been tasked with helping councils across the country achieve a systemic shift in adult care towards user control, prevention and enhanced information and advice services.

The post derives from the December 2007 Putting People First concordat, which sets out a three-year programme to personalise adult social care in England, backed by a £520 million grant.

Mr Jerome, who was accompanied by Donna Pearson – Modernisation Programme Manager and Graham Varley – Policy Manager, Strategic Commissioning, visited Seaton Hospital, and following a brief tour of the hospital facilities, met with members of the Cluster Management Team including Del Cathery - Therapies Manager, Leigh Richardson – Practice Manager, Eileen Simmonds – Hospital Matron, Teresa Denning – Locality Business Manager, Terry Burrows – Community Matron, Joan Bisseker – Community Nursing Team Leader, Richard Anderson – Cluster Manager and Dr John Coop from Seaton and Colyton Medical Practice.  Dr Coop and the nursing team highlighted some case examples whereby the Complex Care Team had tailored multi-disciplinary packages of care around individuals and their families in order to sustain their long term care at home, and avoid acute hospital admissions.  Mr Jerome was particularly interested in the integrated nature of the Complex Care Teams, and was impressed with the energy and positive commitment there was to the development of seamless services, putting the patient/client firmly at the centre of care.

Mr Jerome left the Cluster with a challenge to think about enhancing user-led services especially with relation to personal budget allocations and moving towards a much more flexible use of the overall Adult Community Services and NHS budgets within the Cluster.