HCNS (Hospital and Community Navigation Service)
is a partnership of voluntary organisations working closely together to provide an integrated social prescribing service throughout Hertfordshire.
About Us.
The Hertfordshire Hospital and Community Navigation Service (HCNS) provides a single integrated social prescribing service throughout Hertfordshire. The service includes Link Workers based in Hospitals, GP surgeries, and community settings. HCNS also works on a range of special projects.
The HCNS partnership was formed in 2017. With support from key stakeholders, the partnership has gone from strength to strength.
The story so far...
2014
Hertfordshire Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) and Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) jointly commission “Herts Help in the West” – one of the UK’s first designated social prescribing schemes with “Community Navigators” employed through voluntary sector partner organisations.
2017
HCC invites seven voluntary sector organisations to form a partnership to deliver a single countywide social prescribing service: Hertfordshire Hospital and Community Navigation Service.
2018
HCNS partners agree matrix staff management, single ICT infrastructure, data sharing, and quality standards.
2019
First PCN Link Workers employed. Additional funding received for decluttering service.
2020
HCNS offers front-line support through first Covid lockdown and beyond. Additional funding received for “Pathway Zero” wrap-around service.
2021
HCNS supports work with refugees and arrivals from Afghanistan. Additional funding received for “Waiting Well” service. All remaining “Community Navigators” redesignated as “Link Workers”.
2022
HCNS supports work with refugees and arrivals from Ukraine.
Partnership agreements and policies updated.