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SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST
MEETING ON 16 JUNE AT ST HELENS
REPORT OF THE CO-ORDINATOR
CREATING A 21ST CENTURY NHS
1. Matter for consideration:
A Social Services North West contribution to the consultation process on the development of a National Plan for
the NHS.
2. Introduction:
Members will be aware that the Government is developing a new National Plan for the NHS. As a part of the consultation
process a website has been set up inviting comments from relevant organisations and individuals. A wide-ranging
attempt to gain the views of staff and patients has also been undertaken. This appeared to be a good opportunity
for Social Services North West to make its voice heard on the vital issues concerning the future of the NHS. A
trawl of member authorities was conducted to help compile a representative response on behalf of Social Services
North West.
3. Information:
3.1 Comments were invited from member authorities on areas highlighted at the website http://www.nhs.uk/nationalplan/.
These centred around the 'Six Ps' in respect of which the Prime Minister has set up Modernisation Action Teams:
· Partnership
· Professions and the wider workforce
· Performance
· Patient Empowerment
· Patient access
· Prevention
3.2 Several authorities managed to meet the tight deadline for responses on matters relating to the challenges
to be faced and the need for change. From these, a composite response was compiled, identifying three key issues
concerning the future of the NHS, as requested by the consultation.
3.3 The three key themes emerging were:
· The need for close partnership across health and social care
· to ensure effective delivery of both health and social care services
· to promote healthy living and social inclusion· The need for effective 'whole system' services at primary care level
· to plan care effectively both before and after hospital treatment
· to ensure rapid-response community support
· to ensure appropriate use of rehabilitation and intermediate care· The need for local accountability of services
· Primary Care Trusts should be no less representative of community interests than Primary Care Groups
3.4 The above summary position was forwarded to the Department of Health in time to meet their tight deadline
for responses. The detailed responses will be retained and referred to in the continuing work of Social Services
North West on NHS-related issues.
4. Recommendations
4.1 That the response made to the Department of Health be endorsed.
4.2 That the detailed views submitted by member authorities be retained and referred to in further work between
Social Services North West and NHS organisations.
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