Calderdale’s commitment to jointly providing health, care and wellbeing services, to meet people’s needs within their own community, is set to be strengthened with a proposed new partnership agreement between the key organisations.
Since 2018, Calderdale Cares has brought together health, care and wellbeing services across the borough.
Closer partnerships between health and care organisations, including the Council, the NHS and the voluntary and community sector, are already making a difference to local people’s lives by providing the seamless support they need in the community where they live.
The approach of working together as one place and sharing resources across organisations has been especially effective in supporting people during the pandemic. It also enables Calderdale to deliver the joint Wellbeing Strategy to help people start well, develop well, live and work well, and age well.
In 2021, the Government announced its intention to establish statutory Integrated Care Systems where the NHS, local government and other partners such as the voluntary and community sector needed to work together as a place. Calderdale Cares was well underway by then, and now national policy is aligning with Calderdale’s place-based ambitions and brings an opportunity to influence the wider health and care system.
Now the partner organisations are building on this as part of a proposed new Calderdale Cares Partnership Agreement.
The agreement will be discussed at the Council’s next Cabinet meeting on Monday 14 February. It sets out how health and care organisations will continue working together for the benefit of local people.
Cllr Josh Fenton-Glynn, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Wellbeing, said:
“If we see health and social care as siloed then we don’t get people the help they need. Calderdale is a place that’s known for its kindness, resilience and joint working. These qualities have led to a successful Calderdale Cares partnership that is having a significant impact on people’s lives, with a focus on reducing inequalities and preventing health and wellbeing issues. The partnership is promoting active and healthy communities, helping to improve general health and providing support where it’s needed most.
“We are now formalising an agreement to build on the effectiveness of the past four years of the Calderdale Cares partnership, especially the way that it has provided vital support during the pandemic, such as through the COVID-19 vaccination programme and listening to and learning from communities.
“This will help achieve the Vision2024 for Calderdale, creating more resilient communities where everyone can access health, care and wellbeing services, reach their potential and live a larger life.”
The proposed new Calderdale Cares Partnership Agreement would help to bring investment into Calderdale from the Integrated Care System. The aim is to direct investment into prevention as well as acute care, with the continued support of voluntary and community organisations in providing services.
In the year 2024, Calderdale will celebrate its 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? Join the conversation by following #VisionCdale2024 on social media and visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision.
The Partnership Agreement will be discussed at Calderdale Council’s Cabinet meeting on Monday 14 February 2022, which starts at 6pm at Halifax Town Hall and can also be watched at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link).