One year on from the historic deal that saw the start of Greater Manchester’s journey within health and social care devolution – and one of its key figures has described the last twelve months ‘as revolutionary for the region’.
Lord Peter Smith, Chair of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Strategic Partnership Board, said that the year since the historic singing (Fri, Feb 27, 2015) of the Memorandum of Understanding had been both inspiring and dynamic.
Lord Peter said: “The energy and sheer momentum of the last year has been focussed on bringing the biggest and fastest improvement in health within Greater Manchester.
“That focus, which has been revolutionary for the region, has been made possible by the unprecedented partnership working shown by the 37 organisations involved.
“That unity has been inspirational as we prepare for full devolution by April 1 – and new ways of working that see more integration between health and social care and improving outcomes across Greater Manchester.”
One year on from the landmark agreement, the ‘Devo Diary’ looks like this:
February 27, 2015 – Deal announced which would see Greater Manchester run its £6bn health and social care budget from April 1, 2016. The trailblazing move – a national first – saw NHS England, 12 NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, 15 NHS providers and 10 local authorities agree a framework for health and social care through a Memorandum of Understanding.
June 8, 2015 – Plans announced to propel access to primary care, seven days a week across Greater Manchester. By the end of December (2015), hubs were operational in each CCG area, providing seven-day access for patients who need medical help across Greater Manchester, with further hubs opening soon.
July 9, 2015 – A new model of public health leadership launched – placing more emphasis on preventative work. Plans put public health at the heart of wider economic and growth plans for the region by helping people into work, encouraging independence and reducing demand on the NHS.
July 15, 2017 – Unanimous decision by 12 CCGs for four single services – networks of linked hospitals working in partnerships – in Greater Manchester. The implementation of the Healthier Together decision is priority for the devolution programme and a judicial review in January 2016 backed the decisions made to reorganise Greater Manchester hospital services.
September 1, 2015 – New partnership between healthcare research, academia and industry in Greater Manchester formed. Health Innovation Manchester will speed up the discovery, development and delivery of innovative solutions to help improve the health of 2.8 million people in Greater Manchester, and beyond.
September 25, 2015 – Principles around sharing power and making decisions within Greater Manchester health and care devolution agreed. Governance plan is the first of its kind in England. It started in shadow format in October and wider details for the structure and board have now followed – including the setting up of the Strategic Partnership Board.
September 30, 2015 – Greater Manchester appoints its first-ever Director of Population Health Transformation. Wendy Meredith to lead role that public health plays within Greater Manchester Health and Care Devolution. She brings 30 years of experience to the role, after being Director of Public health for Bolton Council and chair of the Greater Manchester Directors of Public Health Group.
November 2, 2015 – Three year vision announced to improve independence for people with learning disabilities across Greater Manchester. Central to the plan will be new, high-quality, community-based services allowing people with a learning disability and/or autism to benefit from new, better care options.
November 12, 2015 – New partnership, Dementia United, set to make the whole of Greater Manchester more dementia-friendly. Full details for the five-year plan expected by March 21016.
December 18, 2015 – Greater Manchester learns it will receive £450m transformation funding to help towards creating a sustainable and successful health and social care system in Greater Manchester by 2021. The Strategic Plan: Taking Charge of Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester is endorsed on behalf of all 37 organisations involved in the devolution partnership, the Department for Health and NHS England.
February 15, 2016 – Start of a listening period where people across Greater Manchester are asked to share their struggles and successes in making healthy lifestyle choices, as the region prepares to take responsibility for the region’s £6bn health and social care budget. The results of the Taking Charge Together campaign – which has so far been seen by thousands of people online and via community events – will help to shape health and social care plans for the next five years. To access the survey, please visit www.takingchargetogether.org.uk.
April 1, 2016 – Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership takes charge and responsibility for the health and wellbeing of the region’s 2.8 million residents.
