Award winning not-for-profit scoops further endorsement to tackle health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing.

Nottinghamshire residents are set to benefit from improved access to complementary health services, thanks to a development grant from Futurebuilders England.

Social enterprise Impact Integrated Medicine Partnership provides complementary health services including acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy to patients with long-term conditions.

Since 2004 Impact has treated over 300 people, tackling health inequalities and reducing NHS costs of longer-term care and treatment. After completing an Impact programme, 87% of patients report reducing or stopping their prescribed medication; 76% visit their GP less frequently; and a number no longer require hospital treatment such as physiotherapy or spinal injections.

After winning the 2006 NHS Alliance Acorn Award for Integrated and Complementary Healthcare, Impact is now working with local GPs, Nottingham City PCT, and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to develop complementary services for more NHS patients. This will primarily be through the new practice-based commissioning initiative within the NHS.

A £12,145 development grant from Futurebuilders will support Impact’s business planning and marketing, as well as strengthen the organisation’s capacity as it works towards gaining additional contracts with the public sector. Impact has a good track record of working with hard-to-reach groups and the development grant will support the wider roll-out of this work.

Julie McKay, Director of Impact said: “We are delighted to be receiving support from Futurebuilders England. We know the Government is keen to encourage third sector healthcare providers to enter the NHS, and we are working hard with commissioners to introduce new types of treatment and more choice for patients.

“There is a high demand for complementary health services within the NHS. Nearly 1,000 local people have signed a petition calling for acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy to be made available as part of their NHS treatment. We’re looking forward to developing our work in the NHS and with other public sector organisations, so that many more people across Nottingham can benefit from this type of care.”

Richard Gutch, Chief Executive of Futurebuilders England said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Impact to develop their complementary medicine programme. Social enterprises are leading the way in the delivery of innovative public services and Impact has shown us how a joined up approach to healthcare can help many people lead healthier and more rewarding lives.” 

Suzanne Topham, Impact patient said: “When I first came to Impact I was on anti-depressants and knew nothing about homeopathy. My doctor said I’d need to be on medication for at least six months, but I was able to safely stop taking it three months after starting at Impact. It’s helped me get back to a normal life. What we need now is for the NHS to provide these services all over the country.”

Ends

For further information please contact Jayna Danckert at Futurebuilders England on 0207 927 6346 or Fiona Robertson at Impact Integrated Medicine Partnership on 07879 686285.

Notes to editor

About Impact Integrated Medicine Partnership

• Impac is a Nottingham-based social enterprise working in innovative complementary medicine.
• Impact’s services are used by a diverse community groups: 48% of patients are from BME communities; 30% consider themselves to have a disability; and 38% are male.
• The Futurebuilders development grant of £12,145 will support Impact review its business plan and budgets; create and implement a marketing strategy; and further its negotiations with public sector purchasers. The grant will also fund a short period of business consultancy to support and guide the organisation with this work

About Futurebuilders England

• Futurebuilders England is a unique £125m government-backed fund offering support and investment to third sector organisations to deliver public services.
• We offer a combination of loans, grants and professional support to build the capacity of third sector organisations who want to deliver better public services. Most organisations have never borrowed before, so we provide sustained, flexible and individual support to ensure our investees have the right financial, managerial and governance structures to take on a loan and successfully compete for contracts in the public sector.
• Since 2004 Futurebuilders agreed £85 million of investments with over 195 organisations.
• For more information visit www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk