New network will address health and social care inequalities across south west London

New network will address health and social care inequalities across south west London

12 October 2009

The South West London Academic, Health and Social Care Network (AHSN) was launched on Thursday 1st October, by NHS London Chief Executive, Ruth Carnall and Ian Winter, Deputy Regional Director Social Care for London.

The AHSN is a new, pioneering membership network of organisations spanning health, social care and higher education. Its mission is to provide world-class health and social care services to people living in south west London.

The group’s strategic objective is to deliver real and measurable positive health and social care change, especially in disadvantaged communities. This will ensure local and rapid access to health and social care and will tackle poverty and disadvantage, thereby addressing health inequalities.

The AHSN is a partnership of all the key health and social care organisations in south west London’s six London Boroughs –  Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth – with Kingston University and St George’s, University of London.

Launching the network, Ruth Carnall said: “The AHSN is an exciting development that is set to deliver real positive change to the people of south west London.”

Ian Winter, Deputy Regional Director Social Care for London, said: "The opportunity that this represents to draw on the very best examples of practice and understanding can really make a difference to people who live in this part of London and for whom Health and Social Care Services are important".