A trailblazing care project based at the University of Suffolk has celebrated its first full year. 

The Integrated Care Academy (ICA) is a partnership between the university, Healthwatch Suffolk, Suffolk County Council, and the Suffolk and north east Essex Integrated Care Board.  

It aims to support the provision of integrated care for all, focusing on the areas of mental health and end of life care. 

Ipswich Star: Members of the ICA were there to represent the project during an 'enquiry day' at the University of Suffolk on November 29.Members of the ICA were there to represent the project during an 'enquiry day' at the University of Suffolk on November 29. (Image: Integrated Care Academy)

Professor Chantal Ski is director of the ICA. She explained that her vision for the project became a reality in May 2021, with 2022 being the project’s first full year.

It has now released its first end of year report. 

Professor Ski said: “It was a year full of challenges and achievements, from running trials to better support those with long COVID and building research consortiums in palliative and end-of-life care, to leadership training in integrated care and new integrated care content for formal education courses. 

“We are proud to be the first integrated care academy in the country that brings together the four pillars of higher education, health and care, local government and the voluntary and community sector to support best integrated care for all.”