Growing Health Together (GHT) is a Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System initiative that connects GPs with local communities to improve health and reduce inequalities.
GHT involves linking GP’s in primary care with people and places, such as in schools, voluntary sector organisations, places of worship, businesses, farms, natural spaces and more.
This collaboration has led to a plethora of different initiatives including Hijabi friendly swimming classes, walking groups, cultural celebrations for black and other Caribbean groups, inclusive exercise classes, community gardens, singing choirs for people with dementia and their loved ones, and more.
An NIHR ARC KSS study evaluated the project and found it “enabled more proactive patient care and better prevention, while helping balance patient engagement - reducing frequent visits from some while encouraging attendance from harder-to-reach groups… GHT helped to address broader local challenges including housing, homelessness, antisocial behaviour, drug and substance misuse, and other prevention activities.”
“People in our communities who are closest to the problems are always closest to the solutions. And the solutions that they design are always perfectly tailored to their circumstances and area to make things better.”
"GP's can act in a powerful role as convenors because we know a huge diversity of people in our local area. We have the ear of the system too, so we're able to listen to our population and then share at system level with the various issues and barriers are and that can unlock investment in communities that improve health and wellbeing outcomes and address health inequalities."
Dr Gillian Orrow, GP, Co-founder and Director Growing Health Together
