Improving lives through partnership in Nottingham
We’re delighted to share that the Nottingham City Place Based Partnership has been shortlisted for a prestigious HSJ Award 2025, in the category Integrated Care Initiative of the Year.
The nomination recognises the partnership’s Severe and Multiple Disadvantage (SMD) workstream, which brings together organisations across the city to improve health outcomes for people facing some of the most complex challenges, while also reducing demand on healthcare services.
Framework is proud to act as executive sponsor of the SMD workstream which now has over 200 members. This innovative work is delivered primarily through the Changing Futures programme, supported by many other city partners.
What is Severe and Multiple Disadvantage?
Severe and Multiple Disadvantage describes the experience of people who face a combination of homelessness, problematic substance use, mental ill health, domestic and sexual violence or abuse, and contact with the criminal justice system. These overlapping challenges often make it difficult for people to access support, and can lead to poorer health outcomes, social exclusion, and repeated crisis situations.
The impacts of SMD are stark, with many individuals caught in a cycle of neglect which often end in premature death. The life expectancy of a man experiencing rough sleeping and homelessness is 45 years, and for women this is only 43. Sadly, people who experience severe and multiple disadvantage are amongst those at greatest risk of health issues, but are least able to access help.
Bobby Lowen, Programme Director of Changing Futures, shared his pride in the partnership:
“We are delighted that Nottingham’s Place Based Partnership has been recognised in the HSJ Awards for a second year running. This recognition celebrates our collaborative effort to improve how colleagues and services across the city work together to better meet the needs of people experiencing multiple disadvantage.
“Many vulnerable and stigmatised people across communities up and down the country can be left without help that works for them when they need it the most. We are proud to be working together as a team in Nottingham to break down these barriers to make a real difference for our community.”
By working together, the Nottingham City Place Based Partnership aims to break down barriers, coordinate services, and provide joined-up support that enables people not just to survive, but to rebuild their lives and thrive.
About the Nottingham City Place Based Partnership
The Nottingham City Place Based Partnership (PBP) is part of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System (ICS). It brings together local organisations to challenge health disparity and improve the wellbeing of people in our city. By combining lived experience with a data-informed approach, we aim to break the cycle of repeated service use and support people in creating a stable, healthy, and sustainable future.
The partnership is setting a model for collaboration across the city by drawing on the strength and diversity of Nottingham’s organisations and communities. From NHS professionals and criminal justice services to community carers and volunteers, our broad and inclusive partnership means we are better placed to tackle Nottingham’s most pressing challenges in health inequality.
Find the full list of partners here: Our Partners – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICS – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICS
This collaborative approach ensures that people experiencing SMD receive support that is flexible, person-centred, and designed around their needs. It is delivered through 15 delivery partners and various methods, such as specialist 1:1 support, multidisciplinary care, free training and shared learning, and placing SMD experts in social care, primary care, emergency departments, Probation, Police, Secondary MH & Housing.
Our Director of of Health and Social Care, Apollos Clifton-Brown, who is also chair of the partnership’s SMD group, said: “There are around 8000 people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage within Nottingham city. That means there are more people in Nottingham with SMD than have dementia but, until now, severe and multiple disadvantage has received far less focus as a major contributor to negative health outcomes.
“The nomination of Nottingham’s Place-Based Partnership for this prestigious award is in recognition of the partnership’s commitment to tackle severe and multiple disadvantage and to adopt innovative ways of working. It has shown how things can be done differently and more effectively when system partners come together.
“Everyone involved is committed to doing things differently, giving things a try, and working outside of the normal commissioned boundaries. Crucially we start with the needs of individuals rather than expecting people with complex needs to navigate complex systems; in this approach we involve people with lived experience in the design of services and ensure that services talk to each other, so people don’t have to be continually reassessed by each agency offering support.”
As well as the difficult consequences for people, the challenges people living with SMD face, such as stigma and exclusion, also result in significant demand, staffing and budgetary pressures for the NHS and its partners. The partnership aims to lessen this strain and reduce costs. We are proud to share that in 24/25, the scheme has saved reactive and emergency healthcare nearly £800,000 through early intervention. We predict that this prevented cost will continue to increase in coming years.
At its core, the partnership is committed to making sure everyone in Nottingham can access the right care and support to live well. No matter someone’s background, personal situation, or which part of the city they call home, the aim is to give every resident the chance of a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Looking ahead
We’re hopeful that we will see recognition of the progress and impact that has been made at the HSJ awards this year.
Most importantly, the shortlisting reflects the power of joint effort and commitment. Organisations across Nottingham working together can successfully improve lives and reduce health inequalities. We are hopeful that our work will set the stage for similar interventions on a wider scale, and have already started sharing research, informing national guidance and producing a wide range of training and resources to help others replicate our work.
This recognition is an opportunity to celebrate what has already been achieved, while continuing to raise awareness of the importance of supporting people facing severe and multiple disadvantage. We have the knowledge and information, and through this partnership we are able to put it into practice to make a difference to the lives of people who need it most.