Bringing out the best across all the LHBs for our communities

Addressing inconsistencies across local health boards (LHBs) was the focus of the recent meeting with Health and Social Services Minister Lesley Griffiths AM.

The meeting took place on 5 December, under the auspices of the Third Sector Scheme.

The third sector, described by the Minister as a ‘significant partner in health’, was joined by Hywel Dda Health Board Chair Chris Martin and Director of Strategic Partnerships, Sarah Veck, along with PAVS Chief Executive Sue Leonard, to present the new A co-designed future: the third sector role in health and social care in Hywel Dda.

Hywel Dda partners agreed that achieving this co-design approach ‘is not easy but worth the effort’. Key to its delivery is:

· the tripartite overarching compact;

· the role of the CVCs and local health and social care facilitators redefined for this regional approach, securely funded to 2015;

· commissioning based on the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf joint on-line resource Commission Accomplished at www.commissionaccomplished.co.uk/ href="http://www.commissionaccomplished.co.uk/">http://www.commissionaccomplished.co.uk/ including a Code of Practice and three to five year contracts; and

· making best use of the LHB charitable funds, providing non-recurrent funding for collaborative community healthcare improvement projects.

The Minister found this ‘really impressive’, asking the Hywel Dda team to report on delivery at the summer 2012 meeting.

In contrast, the third sector brought to the Minister’s attention the poor practice by some LHBs who misguidedly believe that under NHS Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs), and/or European Procurement Law, all health services have to be procured and that they are no longer permitted to award grants.

The Minister reiterated the Welsh Government’s position, outlined in statements from the First Minister, the Minister for Finance and Minister for Local Government and Communities, that grants will continue to be an important way of funding many third sector organisations. Following this meeting the Minister has written to WCVA commiting to add a paragraph making reference to grant funding in the SFIs.

The third sector also brought examples of good practice in the Stakeholder Reference Groups and received the Minister’s support to establish this across all LHBs.

Finally the third sector asked the Minister how she is ensuring that LHBs and local authorities work together for the best holistic outcomes in mental health for service users and carers. The Minister cited the new Mental Health Strategy together with the coming regulations for the Mental Health Measure providing ways of achieving this much needed unified approach.