19.06.13
Lessons from HWBs in shadow form published
The NHS Confederation has identified major learning opportunities for health and wellbeing boards (HWBs) from their shadow period of work.
The new report assesses HWBs’ progress and highlights the differences beginning to emerge in the scale and pace of progress towards becoming effective.
The best HWBs have built good relationships between local authorities and CCGs, and the report recommends HWBs should be clear, focused, and operate at a strategic level.
Working co-operatively with service providers is vital, as is external engagement and delegating goals to task and finish groups. HWBs should play a major role in advocating and mobilising health and wellbeing, even if changes are initially unpopular.
Dr Johnny Marshall, GP and NHS Confederation director of policy, said: “Like many, I have really welcomed the creation of health and wellbeing boards, which are uniquely placed to shape how local services can support sustainable communities. They are still very young organisations, barely three months into their statutory existence, but the evidence points to them already making good progress.
“There is no doubt there are high expectations on the boards, and we should be doing everything we can to help deliver. So it would be remiss of us not to take full advantage of the shadow period – some HWBs were in shadow form for 18 months – to learn the likely markers of a successful and effective board, and to share these.
“By setting out the challenges and learning at this formative stage, this report will support health and wellbeing boards across the country to develop the structure, culture and relationships which are most likely to contribute to effective delivery of improved health outcomes at the earliest opportunity. It's what health and wellbeing boards are there for, and what board members want to achieve on behalf of their local communities.”
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