Paula Flint

Manchester Local Care Organisation

Manchester Local Care Organisation is a pioneering new type of public sector organisation that is bringing together NHS community health and mental health services, primary care and social care services in Manchester. We're here to improve the health of local people in the city, working as one team across traditional organisational boundaries. MLCO was formed on 1 April 2018. We are part of the public sector and partnership organisation powered by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health, Manchester City Council, Manchester Health & Care Commissioning and the Manchester Primary Care Partnership. We are bringing together the teams from these organisations that provide community-based care (also known as out of hospital care) in the city in a new way. Over 2,700 staff from Manchester's adult and children's NHS community teams and adult social care teams have now been deployed to MLCO. They include nurses, social workers, health visitors, therapists, support staff and many other health and care professionals. These teams are now working together as part of one single organisation for the first time. Residents of Manchester shouldn't notice any difference in how you access the services, but behind the scenes changes are happening to ensure that they are the best they can be and that care is better coordinated around their needs. This includes the development of a range of new ways of working in the community using the latest evidence and technology. There are plans to deploy further teams to MLCO over the coming years.