Budgets pooled to create £105m Staffordshire health and social care cash pot
Budgets are being pooled to develop a joint approach on health and social care in Staffordshire, creating a £105 million pot of cash.
The new deal will see the NHS and the county council pool resources in the 2015-16 financial year.
The council's cabinet agreed this week to join forces with five Clinical Commissioning Groups across Staffordshire to provide more integrated care.
The agreement comes as a new report published by the King's Fund also called for crucial changes in how health services are commissioned, paid for and regulated to help see through a five-year vision for the NHS.
In its report this week, the think tank mad a number of recommendations including an integrated approach to commissioning with a 'greater emphasis on pooling budgets currently held by NHS England, clinical commissioning groups and local authorities.'
Alan White, cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said: "In Staffordshire, we have been quick to recognise the importance of providing integrated health and social care to deliver better value and better benefits for residents.
"We have already made fundamental changes to our approach and the Better Care Fund is another example of how closer partnership work is key to supporting a sustainable NHS."
The cabinet endorsed proposals to enter an agreement with the five CCGs: Stafford and Surrounds, Cannock Chase, North Staffordshire, East Staffordshire and South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula.
Staffordshire's Better Care Fund plan includes more focus on a joined up approach to the care of the frail and elderly, early intervention, phasing in greater community care and working closely with district and borough partners to meet local priorities.
