£20m saved in NHS trust's partnership
A new group set up by health and council bosses has already saved £20 million, it has emerged, as they look to extend the partnership for a further three years.
Staffordshire County Council bosses will meet to discuss whether to extend the partnership between the authority and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership NHS Trust.
The original agreement in 2012 created the country's largest integrated health and social care trust and saw the transfer of more than 1,100 adult care staff to the trust.
This next phase will focus on supporting vulnerable people earlier through prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation.
Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: "It is three years on from the creation of the integrated trust, so now is a good opportunity to take stock and look at what has worked well and what can work even better over the coming years.
"The new agreement looks particularly in more detail at how together we can support the elderly and the more vulnerable."
Cabinet chiefs will be advised to agree to continue with the integration of adult social care services with Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership NHS Trust when they meet on Wednesday.
Plans were first drawn up for the integrated service during 2011 following discussions between the council and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership NHS Trust.
A report to cabinet reads: "The agreement commenced April 2012, creating the country's largest integrated health and social care trust. To date, there has been significant achievement in delivering £20 million savings, together with some integration and a streamlined service."
The meeting on Wednesday takes place at the County Buildings, Stafford, at 10am.
The public are welcome to attend.
