Why does this Committee meet?
The Cheshire West Health and Care Partnership Committee is made up of members from the following organisations.
- Cheshire West and Chester Council
- Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB)
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) NHS Foundation Trust
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Mid Cheshire Hospital
- Healthwatch
- Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) on behalf of the community sector
The Committee meets to discuss, agree and hear updates on progress for work areas that can only be achieved by colleagues in all of these organisations working together.
Key updates relevant to the community sector
Community sector’s role in prevention
The meeting underscored the importance of integrating the community sector into prevention strategies. The sector’s unique reach into communities being often overlooked by public sector services was highlighted.
Gary Cliffe, representing CWVA, emphasised making sure the community sector’s active inclusion in prevention plans, particularly in addressing hidden community needs.
Community Partnerships update
Community Partnerships, which bring together health, care and community sector organisations, were discussed. CWVA is taking a leadership role in this initiative.
The Neston and Willaston Community Partnership presented its work on addressing hospital discharge challenges and cross-border care issues. Two case studies demonstrated how community sector organisations have improved patient discharge outcomes. A rotation of Community Partnership presentations was agreed, making sure there are regular updates from local groups throughout the year.
Joint Intelligence Board (JIB) formation
The newly formed JIB aims to enhance collaboration and data sharing across partners, including the community sector.
The sector’s representation on the board will make sure that community-based insights are integrated into data-driven planning and decision-making.
Children’s Services inspection
The Council’s inspection findings highlighted a significant increase in children entering care, stressing the need for early intervention strategies. Cross-sector collaboration, involving public sector and community sector services, was recognised as vital for improving outcomes for children in care and care leavers.
Hospital discharge support
The vital role of community sector organisations, such as Age UK Cheshire, Snow Angels and Cheshire Community Action (CCA) in hospital discharge support was praised. Their work has addressed barriers to safe and timely discharge, while providing ongoing home support. Additional funding opportunities and a taskforce to expand these initiatives are being explored.
Breaking barriers for community sector collaboration
Challenges in commissioning and organisational processes that hinder community sector participation in service delivery were acknowledged. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to addressing these barriers and exploring more flexible commissioning models to support the sector’s involvement.
Upcoming consultations and engagement opportunities
The Healthier Futures programme, including the redevelopment of Leighton Hospital, will open for public consultation in early 2025. The community sector is encouraged to participate in shaping service design to reflect local community needs.