Local NHS Trust to work with Leeds City Council to deliver new services for young people

New health service provision for 0-19 year olds in Leeds will be delivered by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (LCH) following the award of a contract by Leeds City Council.

LCH will be delivering the Public Health Integrated Nursing Service for 0-19 year olds from April 2019 and offer services based in Children’s Centres as part of Early Start Teams.

As well as the new support delivered in local communities, a new digital offer for young people is going to be provided, creating improved direct access to health professionals and support. Economic analysis shows investment in early years gives the greatest return of any life stage, and this investment will impact on key outcomes such as emotional wellbeing, improved behaviour, school readiness and educational attainment, all helping with fulfilment of potential.

Cllr Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council executive member for adults and health, said:

“I’m delighted that our NHS partners at LCH will be providing this service for children and young people in the city. We have been very keen to see innovative approaches which will deliver high quality results so it was positive to see the plans from LCH reflecting that.

“Investing in health and care with an organisation who know the city so well, and have such a strong track record of supporting young people is a logical step as we link up to make Leeds the best city for health and wellbeing.”

Thea Stein, Chief Executive of Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said:

““LCH is delighted to have been awarded this contract and we welcome the opportunity. We are looking forward to working with children, young people and their families to develop new, innovative and creative solutions in order to provide the best possible care.”

The 0-19 Public Health Integrated Nursing Service includes Health Visiting, School Nursing and Oral Health Promotion. Linking with work at children’s centres in the city and maintaining school nurse provision, the investment in local NHS service provision will form part of an increasingly integrated provision of health and care in Leeds.

The new services will be phased in from April 2019.