Karen Howell, chief executive, Wirral Community Health and Care Foundation Trust, writes for the Globe.

OVER the last few weeks we've been celebrating two years of integrated health and care here at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.

It's hard to believe that two years have passed since I signed the contract with the then leader of the council, which enabled more than 230 Adult Social Care professionals to transfer to the NHS.

How time flies!

At the time, we were one of only a handful of Trusts in England to have integrated.

The skills and expertise that our Adult Social Care colleagues have brought to the NHS, alongside those of our healthcare teams, have enabled us to take a huge step towards delivering our vision 'To be the outstanding provider of high quality, integrated care to the communities we serve'.

I am immensely proud of the way our teams have all come together over the last two years.

As one integrated social care assessment and health service we are supporting Wirral residents to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

In May, we had our first Adult Social Care Peer review, in which senior social care colleagues from other areas came to audit and inspect the service we provide.

The final report is due out over the next few weeks.

Based on the initial feedback, we expect it to highlight the integration success and the positive impact we are having on people who use our services.

It's also likely to show the benefits of joint working, the increased focus we now have on prevention and the better understanding all of our staff have for the Social Work profession.

On a personal level, I have so much enjoyed getting to know our adult social care teams and learning more about their roles and the support they provide to people in Wirral.

Together we are making a real difference, and this is only the beginning!