A partnership between Derby City Council and Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust is helping people leave hospital as soon as they are well enough, easing pressure on local hospitals.
Community First brings together nurses, therapists and social care staff in one team; supporting people in need of extra help to recover at home or in a short-term care setting after a hospital stay.
Figures from the Annual Report for 2025/26, which will be presented to Cabinet members at their meeting next week, show the service is making a real difference:
- The team supported 94.7% of referrals itself, rather than needing to call on private care agencies – above the 90% target
- Of those helped at home, 57% went on to manage without any ongoing care, and a further 16.6% stayed at home with some continuing support.
2025/26 was the first full year as a joined-up service, with two home support teams – one from the Council and one from the NHS – merging into one.
Staff now share one record system and one leadership team, so teams can work together more efficiently to make sure people get the right help at the right time.
Patient and family feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, praising staff for both kindness and patience. The service is aiming to help even more people next year, with a target of meeting over 95% of demand.
Councillor Alison Martin, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, said:
Nobody wants to stay in hospital longer than they need to. By working side by side with our NHS colleagues, we're helping people get home sooner, where they recover best, and freeing up hospital beds for those who need them. It's a great example of what we can achieve when health and social care work as one team.
The Cabinet meeting starts at 2pm on Wednesday 7 October, and can be watched live on the Council’s YouTube channel.