These workers are a mix of skills and organisations such as STEPS, CorCare, CIT, Homefirst, community nursing, community matrons and CRT. We will all use a single electronic referral system (SERS) to simplify the process. All referrals will be automatically passed to the local, place based teams, rather than bouncing between different services.

Why?

We are expecting that during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for community services (council, Corserv, Cornwall NHS Partnership Foundation Trust (CFT) and voluntary services) will be several times higher than usual. Our current way of working with multiple referral sources and complicated processes will not allow us to meet this demand.

How is this different?

Currently, local teams do not have the ability to use local knowledge to meet needs in the best and most efficient way. We want to make this possible. Now anyone needing community care will be referred to their local teams using the single electronic referral system. Prioritisers will judge most appropriate care that is possible in their area. A multi disciplinary team will deliver the care as a team, making best use of their skills and availability.

What does this mean for patients?

People will be seen by teams who are based in their local area, with local knowledge about what services exist. The team will be joint from the council, CFT, Corserv and volunteers, and will work together to meet as many people’s needs as possible.

What does this mean for colleagues?

In the community, colleagues from across social care, Corserv, CFT and the voluntary sector will be working in local teams, aligned to PCN geographies. Referrals will be passed to teams via the prioritisers, who will allocate cases based on the best fit and availability of staff.

If you are a member of the public and need help you should call 111, contact your GP or the council’s access service.

If you are a colleague looking to refer someone you can find detailed guidance and access links on your organisation’s intranet.

If you’re an adult experiencing abuse or neglect, or if you’re concerned about somebody, contact adult social care on 0300 1234 131 or email accessteam.referral@cornwall.gov.uk.