NCF policy maker visits Community Integrated Care

Community Integrated Care this week welcomed Sharon Blackburn, Director of Policy and Communications at The National Care Forum (NCF) for a round-table discussion on innovation in care and the changing social care agenda.

Sharon was invited to meet Community Integrated Care’s Chief Executive, Neil Matthewman and his Executive Team of Directors, to discuss these and many other topical issues, from both a policy and provider point of view.

Over the course of the day, discussions ranged from political debate surrounding the forthcoming Adult Social Care White Paper, to more operational issues such as the importance of monitoring and upholding quality standards and maintaining excellence and innovation in the face of restrictions in funding.

The NCF is the UK’s leading forum for not-for-profit health and social care providers in the UK. With a turnover of £90 million and over 4000 staff, Community Integrated Care is one of the Forum’s largest members. The charity has a strong commitment to working with the NCF and its members to shape and develop the future of care services.

Neil Matthewman said of the visit: “As a proud member of the NCF, we were delighted to welcome Sharon into our organisation and enjoy such an informative and productive meeting with her. One of our charity’s main strategic aims is to work with partners to develop our services, and Sharon’s visit was a great opportunity to do this.”

“We spent quality time with Sharon, discussing key policy and strategy developments, as well as current industry challenges, and her insight and expertise was invaluable, particularly as we look to set the set the strategic direction of our charity for the next five years.”

Sharon Blackburn adds: “Meeting with our members is at the centre of all we do within the NCF. Seeing and hearing about innovative services and the challenges our members face assists and directs how we influence and inform policy at a national level.”

“Community Integrated Care have some excellent examples of health and social care integration which is really making a difference to the lives of people who use their services. Staff are recognised regionally and nationally for providing quality services, evidenced in the accolades they have received.”