Severe Multiple Disadvantage

This work stream will focus on improving the experiences and outcomes of people living in Nottingham that are experiencing SMD.  We know that people experiencing SMD can feel services are difficult to access and that their care and support can feel fragmented or stigmatising.  We also know that people experiencing SMD can sometimes be frequent users of some services including emergency services, but their outcomes are still poorer than the general population.

As SMD is multi-faceted and complex, we need a system focused approach that brings together lived experience and a range of organisations within the voluntary and community sector with statutory organisations across health, social care, housing and criminal justice. 

We are fortunate in Nottingham City to have an existing strong partnership that can support the development of this much needed system approach.  As a partnership we will:

  • Make sure we listen to the voices of people with lived experience and to frontline workers so that we can identify and address barriers to care and improve the support people receive.
  • Improve access to services, resolving problems through greater flexibility and making sure that staff know how to engage effectively with people that experience SMD.
  • Help services work more closely together, planning and delivering services around the person rather than expecting people to navigate what can be a very complex system.
  • Develop our understanding of the experience of SMD and how that impacts on people’s lives.

Click here to read more background and insight into SMD in Nottingham