Decision details

Consideration was given to this report seeking support to explore in more detail the value of a whole system commissioning model through an enhanced partnership arrangement between Cheshire East Council and the Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust. The principle to be explored was that through such joint commissioning, and by contracting collaboratively, there would be the potential for both savings and workforce efficiencies.

RESOLVED

1. That the potential value for local communities of developing a Whole System Commissioning Model through an Enhanced Partnership between CEC (Adults, Health & Wellbeing, Children & Family Services), CECPCT, GP Commissioning groups, Schools and others to meet the health and wellbeing needs of our citizens and patients be noted.

2. That Officers undertake to explore the potential value of such a development and report back to both the Cabinet, PCT Board members and the GP Commissioning Executive on the value and implications identified through trialling and developing the proposed model.

3. That it be noted that formalJoint Commissioning under a section 75 arrangement [NHS Act 2006]already takes place in respect of meeting the needs of the adult learning disability population and that this will be sustained; inaddition that an ‘in principle’ agreement be given for the development of a section 75 agreement for Continuing Care to be sought, pending legal and financial advice as well as risk assessment.

4. That the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee be briefed on this work and Whole System Commissioning Model as it evolves.

5. That the following extract from the NHS White Paper be noted:

‘…. Councils will be assessing local needs promoting more joined up services and supporting joint commissioning. This builds on the excellent work that is already done by some Councils in joining up services to improve health & social care and will ensure a closer working relationship between health and other council responsibilities, such as housing and environmental health. This means that patients who need the help of both health and social care services can expect to get much more coherent, effective support in future’ DOH Liberating the NHS: Local democratic legitimacy in health, July 2010 [link to full paper is available in appendix 1].