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Supporting the Sector through NHS Reform

The Health and Social Care Bill became an Act on Tuesday 20th March 2012, after over 18 months of consultations, campaigining and toing and froing. Through our role as Strategic Partner to the Department of Health (with our colleagues at Regional Voices) Involve has been keeping a close eye on developments, communicating relevant information to the sector and seeking to influence the development through the Bill.

Since Equity and Excellence (the original White Paper on Health that spelt out the proposed reforms) we have organised 4 major consultation events attended by over 300 delegates. As a result of this we have been able to submit a number of thorough consultation responses that have been well informed by the views and experience of the voluntary and community sector in Yorkshire & the Humber. 

Now the Bill has become an Act our attention is well and truly turned to how we can ensure that the voluntary and sector continues to be recognised and valued for the huge contribution it makes to the health and wellbeing economy and it's role in tackling health inequalities. Our main priorities are:

• to support local support & development organisations and emerging health and wellbeing boards to ensure that there is an effective and appropriate mechanism for the voluntary sector to feed into developing health and wellbeing strategies.
• to help to ensure that emerging Clinical Commissioning Groups understand the voluntary sector role in health and social care and can make effective links with community based organisations.
• to support the development of local Healthwatch to ensure that it is an effective vehicle for patients and the public to make their views about the services they use clear.

Keep an eye on the health and social care pages on our website for the latest news or email ruth to join HealthNet, the voluntary and community sector network for Yorkshire & the Humber.