Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
At the Effective Representation event on 18th March in Manchester there was considerable support from those present from the voluntary sector and Healthwatch representatives for a network to support representatives on Health and Wellbeing Boards. VSNW will be taking the findings from the discussions to develop the next steps. In the meantime the presentations from the speakers are available below:
VSNW recently held a half day event looking at how the voluntary and community sector can ensure that its voice is heard and that it is able to influence the strategic decision making of their local Health and Wellbeing Board. Policy drivers within the Dept of Health are looking to Local Healthwatch to be the place where public engagement is ‘hard wired’ into to Health and Wellbeing Boards. In many areas where there is no separate place for the local voluntary and community sector this will mean that the new local Healthwatch will be expected to represent not just the public voice but also the voluntary and community sector as well. This represents a considerable challenge. The event offered an opportunity to discuss what opportunities existed, what was happening so far, and what could be learned from existing partnerships.
A Summary of the Event can be downloaded here and Presentations can be downloaded by clicking on the presentation:
Regional Voices have produced a Policy Briefing of the Health and Social Care Act and the implications for the voluntary ande community sector. Download here
Regional Voices has been working with the Local Government Association and the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement on a programme of work funded by the Department of Health to identify and share learning between local Healthwatch pathfinders and to identify the challenges and support needs for future local Healthwatch development.
This report highlights both some key elements considered to be essential in creating an effective local Healthwatch organisation and also some of the challenges that were highlighted through interviews with a selection of voluntary and community sector (VCS) and LINK representatives. Download here
Compact Voice have produced a report into the role of local Compacts in the new Health structures. Download a copy from http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/news/2012/06/25/help-local-compacts-new-health-landscape-published
Following the consultation on the composition of the membership of Healthwatch England, the Dept of Health has now published its official response. Download a copy from http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/06/healthwatch/
The NHS reforms are creating a new set of structures and relationships which will be up and running by April 2013. The Dept of Health have produced a new diagram which explains these developing structures. Download a copy from
http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/the-health-and-care-system-in-april-2013-infographic/ or view it here
Stakeholders and the public are being asked to contribute to the development of the Healthwatch England membership regulations. Healthwatch England will be a national consumer champion that enables the collective views of the people who use health and social care services to influence national policy, advice and guidance. This consultation asks questions on a number of key issues.
The deadline for comment is Friday 2 March and the consultation document can be accessed here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_132416
There is a new VSNW Briefing on Healthy Lives, Healthy People: the New Public Health System. Links to the documents mentioned in it are available below:
Healthy Lives, Health People: the New Public Health Sytstem Presentation
Public Health in Local Government
Public Health Outcomes Framework and associated documents
Timeline for implementation of the New Public Health System
The implementation of the new system is however subject to Parliamentary approval of the Health & Social Care Bill.
Included in this edition:
► Department of Health Update
► The New Public Health System: summary
► Events/Training
Included in this edition:
►Department of Health Update
► Warm Homes, Healthy People Fund
► European Commission Health Directorate– Call for proposals
Included in this edition:
VSNW is gathering views for The ‘Caring for our Future – shared ambitions for care and support’ engagement exercise currently taking place.
The ‘Caring for our Future – shared ambitions for care and support’ engagement exercise is the Government’s next step in the reform of social care before the publication of the Care and Support White Paper. It aims to discuss the priorities for improving social care with people who use care and support services, carers, local councils, care providers and the voluntary sector
VSNW in partnership with Regional Voices have produced a combined Briefing and Response document so that the voluntary and community sector in the North West can make their views known on what they feel should be the priorities for the proposed Care and Support system.
The document provides you with information as well as a space in which to feed in your response. This will form part of a coordinated response to the Department of Health by VSNW and its partner Regional Voices. Closing date for responses is Monday 21st November 2011.
A new website has been developed to enable people to find a counsellor appropriate for their needs. The website also contains a number of sections on emotional disorders (types of distress section) and provides some useful statistics. Every counsellor on the site has either sent a copy of their qualifications and insurance cover, or is registered with a professional body online with recognised codes of ethics and practice. www.counselling-directory.org.uk.
The North West Year of Health and Wellbeing is the beginning of a decade long movement to help everyone in the North West to feel good and live well. Its aim is to encourage organisations across all sectors to promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing to all those they work with, employ, or provide services to.
This edition includes:
► Department of Health update
► The impact of health reforms on deaf BME communities
► Outcome Based Commissioning
Guidance and clarification has recently been produced by the Dept of Health with regard to the status and responsibility of the emerging Clinical Commissioning Groups. As part of the Briefing VSNW has also produced a list of all the North West Pathfinder Clinical Commissioning Groups together with contact details.
Included in this edition:
► Department of Health Caring for our future engagement exercise
► Future Forum phase 2
► Influencing the New Health System briefing
Included in this edition:
►Expressions of Interest – PILOT Armed Forces Veteran Support Project
►Joint Strategic Needs Assessment – Resources for Engagement
►The Low Review – Personal Mobility in State Funded Residential Care
Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT intends to commission the above project and are seeking expressions of interest from all suitably qualified and experienced organisations in the provision of this signposting service across the North West and will be particularly keen to hear from organisations that wish to lead a comprehensive and coherent group of providers (be that as a consortium, or as a (contractual or corporate) Joint Venture, or in some form of partnership).
Two development days are taking place 6th and 9th September To register your interest in attending please request Registration Documents by emailing: emmaleigh@nhs.net. Closing date 1st September. Read more
Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) have produced further resources to support the voluntary sector to engage with their local Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). They have produced a Briefing and a Template for the voluntary sector to use but have also produced one for the statutory sector to use to engage with the voluntary sector.
Included in this edition:
►DH Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund
►Cost of Implementing Personal Health Budgets
►Extending Choice of Any Qualified Provider
►Regional Voices - 'On the Radar'
The purpose of this briefing is to
►Explain the role of the NW Health Brussels Office
►Outline areas for engagement with European issues
Included in this edition:
Included in this edition:
►People Powered Health
►Law Commission: Adult Social Care
►CQC State of Care 2009/10 Report
►Statement of Government Policy on Safeguarding
Following the Listening Exercise on 23rd May VSNW have submitted a response to the Future Forum incorporating the key points identified by those attending. Download the Submission
The National Children's Bureau have published a report of the consultation they carried out with young people on the Public Health White Paper: Healthy Lives, Healthy People. Download the report
Included in this edition:
A Guide has been produced by Local Government Improvement and Development for the newly emerging Health and Wellbeing Boards called 'JSNA: A Springboard for Action'. Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA) are seen as having an increasingly important role in the joining up and delivery of joint health and social care services across local authority areas. Download here
Included in this edition
►CQC Regulatory Fees
►Dept Health NW Update
►Safeguarding Adults: the role of Health Services
►Social Care Framework 2011/12
During the Health White Paper Consultations last September, participants were asked to submit written questions on post-it ntoes which the Dept of Health would then respond with written answers. They have recently done so and the answers provided can be downloaded.
VSNW recently ran a Parliamentary Outreach session looking at the Passage of a Bill and one of the areas it focused on was the Health and Social Care Bill at the Committee Stage. The presentation from the session which includes links to the relevant Parliament website pages can be downloaded.
Featured in this edition
► Any Willing Provider Interim Report
► Dept of Health NW Update
► Help a Heart Grant
► National Personal Budgets Survey
Below you will find links to the presentations, papers and other documents referred to during the two information and consultation events held recently. Although VSNW will be writing a response to the Public Health White Paper it is important that your organisation also responds. The closing date for all responses is 31st March 2011. Links to the three Public Health consultation papers are also listed.
Presentations - Preston
Presentations - Warrington
Papers
Weblinks
Below are links to the Dept of Health web pages for the three Public Health White Paper consultations:
Included in this edition
►Update including event opportunities
►Campaign to support sexual health services
►Health and Social Care Reform - new website
►NHS Support for Social Care
This Briefing has been updated to take account of the latest developments in the NHS Reforms and provides a
The Healthy Lives, Healthy People Public Health White Paper will be the focus of these two joint VSNW and Regional Voices events . It will include information about the Public Health White Paper including the Outcomes Framework and the Funding and Commissioning Routes papers which have recently been published. There will be key Dept of Health NW Public Health speakers at each event to be held on:
23rd February 2011 at the Gujarat Hindu Society, Preston - Download the Booking Form and Programme
2nd March 2011 at The Gateway, Warrington - Download the Booking Form and Programme
Both events will run from 9.30 am - 2.15 pm and are free of charge.
In this edition:
Tender Opportunities
Applications are invited from Local Authorities and Health organisations and through them their local partners in the independent sector in housing, care and support related areas for the following:
Closing date for submission of Tenders 24th January 2011.
The first groups of GPs who will take the lead in the Government’s plans for commissioning health services have been announced. There are 10 groups of GP practices in the North West out of the 52 from across England. They have been selected to be the first to take on commissioning responsibilities as part of the Government’s plans set out in the NHS White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS. Read more in Health Bulletin Extra
Healthy Lives, Healthy People - the Public Health White Paper has now been published. It outlines a commitment to helping people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives; and improving the health of the poorest, fastest. The White Paper outlines an approach which mirrors that of the Health White Paper and A Vision for Social Care - one of decentralising decision making and responsibility down to local government, community and individual level. Proposals include local authority based Directors of Public Health who will work in partnership with the local NHS and the public, private and voluntary sectors; ring fenced budgets for local authority public health activity together with a health premium to reward progress against health outcomes. The approach will be one of individuals taking responsibility to live more healthily through encouragement with more prescriptive approaches only if this fails. Read the Briefing.
VSNW will be holding events with partners in early in 2011 to enable you to find out more about the White Paper and to contribute towards a response. More details will be published soon.
Download Healthy Lives, Healthy People
The Community Development Foundation has been selected to deliver the Active at 60 Fund supported by the Dept of Work and Pensions. The fund will be delivered in seven areas of the North West: Liverpool, Manchester, Salford, Blackpool, Knowsley, Rochdale, and Wirral. Local organisations will recruit at least one Active at 60 Community Agent who will volunteer their time to help motivate, encourage and organise people within their own communities to become more active, physically, socially and mentally. Grants of between £250 and £3,000 will be available. More information from the Community Development Foundation website or email activeat60@cdf.org.uk.
Included in this edition:
►Update
►A Vision for Social Care: Capable Communities and Active Citizens
►Choose Well – 5 Key Questions to keep you fit and well this winter
►Commissioning Talking Therapies 2011/12
►CQC First Annual Report into Mental Health
►Equality & Human Rights Commission: Human rights of older people
►Extension of Independent Social Workers into Adult Care
►Funding Opportunities
►Office of National Statistics Wellbeing Survey
►Personalisation
►Recognised, valued and supported: next steps for Carers Strategy
►Skills for Care
►Support a Stronger Civil Society
►Transition Fund: North West Briefing Events
►Events and Training
The NHS have produced a flyer aimed at people with long term conditions or aged over 65. It has five key questions people can ask themselves that could help them to stay fit and well over the winter period. Download the flyer and go to www.nhs.uk for more information.
The Dept of Health has published its Vision for Adult Social Care which sets out the Coalition Government's new agenda for adult social care in England. Their aim is to make services more personalised, more preventative and more focused on delivering the best outcomes for those who use them. It will involve devoling power to communities and indiviuals and will give more freedom and responsibility to front line workers and carers to improve services and support people in new ways. Local authorities will be expected to reform and redesign services and achieve significant productivity gains.
Download Briefing #47 A Vision for Social Care
Also published alongside the Vision for Adult Social Care were a range of other documents related to Adult Social Care, Personalisation, Development of new providers and Building Effective Partnerships:
Two more consultation papers for the Health White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS have been published. They are
• Greater Choice and Control – the presumption that everyone should have choice, control and shared decision making regarding their care and treatment and
• An Information Revolution – where people have the information they need to stay healthy, take decisions about and exercise more control of their care and to make the right choices for themselves and their families.
Briefings are available on www.vsnw.org.uk/publications/briefings .
NHS NW is holding an event to discuss Greater Choice and Control and An Information Revolution on 29th November at the Reebok, Bolton. This event will provide an opportunity to discuss the papers in more detailTo book a place go to www.nhsevents.org/ or if you have any questions contact stacey.chantler@northwest.nhs.uk
Included in this edition are:
►Clinks Service User Guides
►Comprehensive Spending Review: Health Outcome
►Healthy Start Consultation
►Liberating the NHS: Two new Consultation Papers
►New System of Regulation for Adult Social Care and Independent Providers
►Personalisation News
►Reaching out to Carers Innovation Fund
►Six Lives: Progress Report
►Skills for Care News
►Using the equalities duties to make fair financial decisions
Two further consultation papers relating to Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS have now been published. One relates to Information and the other to Choice.
The closing date for both consultations is 14th January 2011.
The Dept of Health will receive a 0.4% increase in real terms over the course of the Spending Review period. This will include a 1.3% increase in resources and a 17% decrease in capital spending. The administration budget will be reduced by 33% and will be reinvested to support the delivery of NHS services.
VSNW has written responses to the four Health White Paper consultation papers that have so far been published.
It has based the responses on the information gathered at the North West Equity and Excellence consultation held on 7th September 2010 in Manchester attended by over 100 people from the voluntary and community sector. The responses can be downloaded:
Two more consultation papers are due out very shortly - Information and Choice and Control. These will be followed in November by the Vision for Social Care and a Public Health White Paper.
The Social Enterprise Investment Fund have launched a new round of capital grants for third sector enterprises involved in health and care. The website below provides information on eligibility, the application form, comprehensive guidance notes and the cashflow template.
http://www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org/grants/
The deadline for applications is noon on 1st November 2010.
Included in this edition:
►Achieving Equity and Excellence for Children
►CQC Survey of Users of Community Mental Health Care
►Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives – National Adult Autism Strategy – Regional Implementation
►National Autistic Society Learning Needs Survey
Included in this edition:
►Briefing #34 Analysis of the Voluntary Sector Social Care Workforce in the NW
►Autism Strategy ‘Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives’ Implementation Consultation
►NHS Principles and Rules for Cooperation and Competition
►Personalisation
►Refreshing the National Carers Strategy
►Supporting People to Live and Die Well
►Third Sector Investment Programme
This Framework was published at the same time as the Health White Paper and whilst it contains much of what is in Equity and Excellence, it also includes more information about public health and other reforms to the NHS. It will form the basis for the implementation of the White Paper. Download
The Dept of Health are inviting voluntary and community sector organisations to apply for the Innovation, Execellence and Service Development Fund which supports health and social care projects. The closing date for applications is 1st November 2010 and the fund is for projects which will begin in April 2011 or later. Although there is no minimum or maximum amount of funding to apply for, the average grant in 2010 was £52,000. The supporting information says that the amount of funding available will be subject to the outcome of the current Comprehensive Spending Review . More information http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_118373
The White Paper on health, ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’ was published on 12th July and sets out the Government's vision for the NHS. The proposals represent some of the biggest changes to the NHS in the last 60 years and provide both opportunities and challenges for our sector. Regional Voices in partnership with VSNW have produced a Briefing which oulines the key areas of the White Paper and also highlights some possible implications for the voluntary and community sector.
Download the Health White Paper
Following on from the White Paper, the Government has now produced four consultation papers and one review document which it will be consulting on up until early October.
The Consultation topics are:
The Review Document: Report of the Arm's-Length Bodies Review sets out in more detail the proposals to to abolish some arm's-length bodies, streamline the functions of others, and the transfer of functions to other bodies.
VSNW in partnership with Regional Voices and the Dept. of Health will be holding a Health White Paper Consultation workshop in the North West in September. The final date will be announced very shortly and if you would like to register your interest in attending please email margaret.mcleod@vsnw.org.uk
Included in this edition
• Update - Health White Paper
• Access to Volunteering Fund
• Commission on the Funding of Care and Support
• ‘Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia’ Campaign
• Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?
• New LGBT Carers Support Group and Online Forum
• NW Health Equity Platform
• Personalisation
• Sex and Violence: Improving Your Care
• Skills for Care: Helping with CQC Inspection Outcomes
• Events and Training
includes the following
• Access to Volunteering Fund
• Care Quality Commission – Consultation on Revised Enforcement Policy
• Commissioning Health Care in Prisons
• Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Week: 3rd-10th July
• Marmot Review: Fair Society Health Lives Update
• NW Regional Offender Health Team – Directory of VCS Organisations
• Social Return on Investment
• Social Values
• Skills for Care: Work smart, work safe – combating violence against care staff
• Events and Training
There is now a section of the website for Personalisation where you will find news, resources, etc. All the information from the recent Third Sector: Are You Ready? conference are available here.
The NW Regional Offender Health Team have produced a Directory of Voluntary and Community Sector organisations who are working to improve the health of people in the NW. The Regional Offernder Health Team aim to reduce health inequalities in order to improve people’s lives and reduce re-offending. If you would like to be included in the Directory or have amendments to make to your entry then email Tracy-Ann.Wilson@hmps.gsi.gov.uk . Download the Directory.
The Race Equality Foundation has produced a paper which contains links to a large range of resources on all aspects of Social Return on Investment. The paper contains links to documents, websites, toolkits, etc. Download the paper.
The Government has announced its plans for the reform of social care including a commitment to:.
establish a commission on long-term care, to report within a year. The commission will consider a range of ideas, including both a voluntary insurance scheme to protect the assets of those who go into residential care, and a partnership scheme as proposed by Derek Wanless.
break down barriers between health and social care funding to incentivise preventative action.
extend the greater roll-out of personal budgets to give people and their carers more control and purchasing power.
use direct payments to carers and better community-based provision to improve access to respite care.
reform Access to Work, so disabled people can apply for jobs with funding already secured for any adaptations and equipment they will need.
You can comment on these proposals by going to http://programmeforgovernment.hmg.gov.uk/social-care-and-disability/
The Government believes there needs to be action to promote public health, and encourage behaviour change to help people live healthier lives and makes the following commitments:
will give local communities greater control over public health budgets with payment by the outcomes they achieve in improving the health of local residents.
will give GPs greater incentives to tackle public health problems.
will investigate ways of improving access to preventative healthcare for those in disadvantaged areas to help tackle health inequalities.
will ensure greater access to talking therapies to reduce long-term costs for the NHS.
The new Ministers are at the Dept. of Health are:
Secretary of State: Andrew Lansley
Minister of State: Simon Burns
Minister of State for Care Services: Paul Burstow
Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Public Health: Anne Milton
Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Quality: Earl Howe
For more information on their individual portfolios visit http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleases/DH_116244
A recent NW Public Service Delivery Network Meeting included a presentation from Jim Williams of Tender Management Consultancy entitled '30 Useful Minutes About Winning Public Sector Tenders' which included twelve steps to tendering success. Download the presentation.
The NHS have produced an A5 booklets explaining the NHS Constitution. Printed copies are available to order from www.orderline.dh.gov.uk where you can also order posters and postcards.
Individual budgets and personalisation: understanding the opportunities and challenges facing local third sector infrastructure organisations
The Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University is carrying out research to identify how local support and development organisations can support the local voluntary sector to meet the challenges posed by personalisation. They are looking for a mixture of local infrastructure and frontline voluntary organisations to take part in the research and are particularly keen to hear from anyone working in the individual budget pilots areas. Research participants would need to spend about an hour with a researcher, either face to face or over the phone. To express an interest in participating in the research please contact Chris Dayson (CRESR) on 0114 2254173, email c.dayson@shu.ac.uk or Paul Ritchie (Voluntary Action Rotherham) on 01709 829821, email paul.ritchie@varotherham.org.uk
March saw the publication of a range of documents, links to some of which are below, in the run up to the announcement of the election date. We are now in the period of pre-election purdah and you may find it interesting to read the three main political parties’ health policies.
Liberal Democrats: http://www.libdems.org.uk/health.aspx
Labour: http://www.labour.org.uk/policies/health
Conservative: http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Where_we_stand/Health.aspx
Included in this edition are:
• 5-year Plan for the Regulation of Mental Health Services
• Better Health Guides for CEO’s
• DWP - Care First Careers - £1000 for eligible young people recruited
• Daphne III – Call for Partners
• Inclusion Health: improving primary care for socially excluded people
• National Audit Office: Successful Commissioning Toolkit
• Progress For Providers Tool
• ‘Reaching Out’ Report: Understanding the Health Attitudes of Harder to Reach Groups in the North West
• The NHS Commissioning Environment: A Guide for Third Sector Organisations¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
• Events / Training
Health Bulletin 10
Everyone who works in the third sector is aware of the impact of inequalities on people’s lives. A conference this week brought together colleagues from the third sector to discuss how they can take forward the Marmot Review: Fair Society Healthy Lives. Professor Sir Michael Marmot outlined very clearly the evidence showing those who are poorer economically and socially have worse healthy life expectancies than those who are better off. Mike Farrar, the Chief Executive of NHS NW, also spoke and reiterated his commitment to tackling health inequalities in the North West and to the role that the third sector will play in achieving this. VSNW have produced a Briefing of the Marmot Review which can be downloaded.
The Bulletin includes the following:
• Asylum Seekers and Health Care Provision in the North West
• BME ‘Training For All’ Project Website Launch
• Care and Support Conference Report
• “From the Ground Up - A guide to integrated care design and delivery”
• Mental Health First Aid Training
• New Food Coop Advisor for North West
• Review of Access to NHS by Foreign Nationals
• Skills for Care Accolades 2010
• The State of Care in England – the Care Quality Commission Annual Report
• Events / Training
“From the Ground Up - A guide to integrated care design and delivery”
A report jointly commissioned by Community Health Partnership (CHP) and the Integrated Care Network (ICN). It aims to support service commissioners; including those involved in planning, service delivery, finance and infrastructure as well as local partnerships, who are looking to develop integrated care services. The report:
Offers an overview of the policy framework for integration.
Presents an outline of the approach to integration taken by four examples of different types of integrated care service.
Analyses the elements of success in integrating care, and presents a model of design and delivery for managers to consider in relation to their own services and planning new facilities.
Concludes with a range of hints and tips based on the research undertaken to develop this document.
Download the report.
NICE Draft Guidance on the Physical and Mental Wellbeing of Looked After Children
The Department of Health (DH) asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) to produce joint guidance on improving the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of looked-after children and young people.
The guidance is for all those who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for, promoting the quality of life of looked-after children and young people. This includes policy makers, commissioners, managers, practitioners and carers in the NHS, local authorities, the criminal justice system, education, the private, voluntary and community sectors, and foster carers. It may also be of interest to looked-after children and young people, their families, prospective adopters and other members of the public. It contains draft recommendations. The closing date for comments is 14th April. Download the document .
Asylum Seekers and Health Care Provision in the North West
The regional migration Health Interest Group has recently produced a brief outline of the asylum process in relation to health care, an overview of health care entitlements and some links to key papers on asylum seeker and refugee health. Download the document. If you would like more information about migration and health contact Alison Ricketts on 0161 952 4049.
North West Mental Wellbeing Survey
A major new survey of 18,500 residents in the North West has been published. The survey was carried out in response to a need to understand more about positive mental health and wellbeing. Carried out as a collaborative partnership between local authorities, PCT's, and led by NHS NW, it is seen as informing future policy and practice in the North West. Read the VSNW Briefing or download the Summary Report.
Marmot and the Third Sector: Addressing Health Inequalities Together - 9th March 2010 - London
This important Conference organised by the Dept of Health's Strategic Partners* will give you the opportuity to hear more about the strategic review that Professor Sir Michael Marmot was asked to lead to develop a joint approach to tackling health inequalities. It will provide a unique opportunity to consider the essential roleof third sector organisations in addressing the problems. Speakers include Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Gillian Merron MP, MInister of State for Public Health and Mike Farrer, Chief Executive of NHS NW.
During the day you will have the chance to discuss with colleagues from across the sector some of the specific challenges we face and how the Marmot Report can help your organisation’s work. You will have the opportunity to learn from the keynote speakers as well as having the chance to attend two interactive workshops during the day to discuss issues in depth.
*The Strategic Partners are a wide ranging group of third sector organisations working with the Department of Health to strengthen links between it and the sector. VSNW is a Strategic Partner through its role in Regional Voices.
For more information and to book a place: Regional Voices website .
Health Bulletin 9
The Marmot Review will be publishing its final report in two weeks time. Marmot identifies health inequalities as being socially determined – those who are the worst off economically and socially are more likely to have poorer health. Currently the latest draft of the North West single regional strategy – RS2010 – is out for consultation. One of its themes is ‘Release the potential of our people and tackle poverty’. There is recognition within this theme that a healthy society is more likely to be an economically prosperous one and that with improved standards of health care there will not only be a healthier population but decreased levels of worklessness. The Draft Strategy can be downloaded from www.nwregionalstrategy.com. VSNW with partners in the region are holding a series of third sector consultations and if you would like to attend visit: http://www.vsnw.org.uk/events/view/52 . The consultation closes on 26th February 2010.
The latest bulletin includes information on the following:
Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a partner, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Department of Health (Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund) to support voluntary and community sector influence on health and wellbeing boards The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has published the findings of a research study on European Social Fund delivery with the aim of informing thinking around the next round of programmes Healthwatch England was formed in April 2013 and is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. They have now published a list of local Healthwatch, including those for the North West The Local Government Chronicle held a webinar to explore the essential elements to ensure local healthwatch organisations are effective in scrutinising local health services and provide a voice for communities. Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a part, are mentioned. An analysis has been published by NAVCA of the 74 areas that received Transforming Local Infrastructure and provides a national perspective, and allows the sharing of information and ideas
Featured News
next
14 May 2013
Supporting influence on health and wellbeing boards
25 April 2013
New report - Effectiveness of European Social Fund delivery
24 April 2013
List of North West Local Healthwatch Contacts
23 April 2013
How to Sustain an Effective Local Healthwatch Organisation
26 March 2013
NAVCA analysis of Transforming Local Infrastructure
Contact Us
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
Ardwick Green North
Manchester
M12 6FZ
Tel: 0161 276 9300
Fax: 0161 276 9301
Email: info@vsnw.org.uk
