Project aims to join up local services

A project by West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group has got under way in a bid to join up services in Sudbury.

Connect is an initiative which aims to bring together police, health and social care services, county and district councils, the voluntary sector and community organisations in and around Sudbury.

The concept, which is in the early stages, was shaped by clinicians, councillors and public representatives last year during Suffolk’s health and care review.

Ed Garratt, chief operating officer for West Suffolk CCG, who is chairing the Connect partnership board, said: “All of the local groups and statutory organisations that work with or look after people, recognise that, by pooling our efforts, we will be able to support individuals better.

“The starting point is talking to each other and getting an idea of what is right for the local population.”

By the end of this summer, the board hopes to have a workable service in place.

Board member Sally D’Alton, vice-chairman of Sudbury Watch, said: “Sudbury Watch played a key part in the development of the new community health centre, and we are supporting this project.”

“We want to make sure that people in this area get joined-up, high-quality services for health and social care.”