NHS England's chief operating officer visited Watford FC's Vicarage Road Stadium.
Sir David Sloman was joined by the chief executive for Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, Dr Jane Halpin, as a number of Watford FC's community projects were showcased.
These projects have been organised by the Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust and showcase the collaboration between the Trust, the community and statutory healthcare.
The Trust's head of health and wellbeing, Jason White, said: "We were honoured to host Sir David Sloman and Dr Jane Halpin and thanks to West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Central London Community Healthcare Trust (CLCH) for giving us this opportunity.
"We’re proud of our health and wellbeing projects and activities at the trust, as well as the invaluable partnerships we have formed; it’s great to see that being recognised.”
The recent visit to Vicarage Road was part of a wider visit that had been organised by the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the CLCH.
It's purpose was to highlight the NHS' new 'virtual hospital' model, and the ways in which it may help patients.
Dr Halpin added: "We were pleased to be able to bring together health and social care leaders from across Hertfordshire and west Essex to meet Sir David and discuss plans for dealing with the pressures we will face this winter.
"He heard about some really innovative partnership work, as well as finding out about the challenges we face and the support we need.
"Sir David was able to see some of the community health improvement work led by Watford FC’s Community Trust, which helps ease pressures by keeping people well, physically, and mentally.
"And when people do fall ill, the virtual hospital gives them first-class care from their own homes, freeing up beds for those who need them.
"All of this will help us to support our communities this winter."
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