Creating true partnerships across the public sector
“Health and social care must be complementary, not conflicting. Cost-sharing, not cost-shunting. We are locking health and social care together in the funding mechanism.” Andrew Lansley, Health Secretary
As reform continues to free local government from central control, local councils will have greater freedom and flexibilities to genuinely lead their communities and influence the lives of the local people.
To support this, the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley earlier this month outlined his vision of an enhanced role for local government in the provision of care and public health.
Encouraging Local Councils and the NHS to work more closely together to ensure the public are offered the quality of service that they demand will be a key step to ensuring that tightened budgets are invested effectively.
For this to work at it’s most effective level, both local councils and health providers must have a better understanding of the requirements of the local population.
The core objectives of the 2010 Spending Review were about reinvigorating the following areas:
• Local accountability
• Democracy, and
• Participation
Actively engaging with the community to encourage feedback and generate information on what services are required (or not) will ensure that budget’s are invested in areas where demand necessitates. Effectively, individuals – the actual service users - are empowered to contribute to the development of their own communities.
Simon Rowland, CEO of CRT comments, “It’s time to truly engage with service users, as genuine partnership between the NHS and local government appears to be underway. By working closely together in understanding the needs of the local people, they have the opportunity to improve the services provided and also create an opportunity to improve efficiencies.”
A substantial funding increase has been ring-fenced by the coalition government for 2011. This will be available to local authorities, enabling them to deliver the necessary efficiency savings, reforms and service improvements.
For more information on how CRT can help you understand what your local community needs, call 02476 608 832.
