16.06.17
Surrey to deliver next major health devolution deal
A pledge has been signed by NHS and council leaders in Surrey to move forward with a health devolution deal for the area – the second after Greater Manchester.
The agreement lays out a “roadmap” towards devolution, and explains how partners will work together to improve the health outcomes of residents in the Surrey Heartlands.
It will cover the areas of Guildford & Waverley, North West Surrey and Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), and will lead to greater local accountability for health and social care spending in the region.
Shadow working arrangements are being put in place this year whilst the partners of the agreement explore the areas where devolution could make an important difference when the deal comes into force from April 2018.
The agreement has been signed by the national bodies NHS England and NHS Improvement, alongside Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), North West Surrey CCG, Surrey Downs CCG and Surrey County Council.
It has now triggered an intention by all parties to accelerate the integration of health and social care, increase public engagement around the reform and increase local decision-making and flexibilities.
“Surrey Heartlands is embarking on a ground-breaking plan to integrate healthcare which will mean better joined up services in place of what has often been a fragmented system that passes people from pillar to post,” said Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England.
CEO of Surrey CC David McNulty said: “This is a really significant step towards bringing together health and social care in our county and giving people better, more efficient services.
“I’m sure that it will give fresh impetus to our efforts to work as one team to make devolution a reality for the benefit of local residents.”
Surrey Heartlands senior responsible officer and clinical chair at Surrey Downs CCG, Dr Claire Fuller, added: “As a practising GP, I have first-hand experience of the positive benefits for patients when health and social care are working well together.
“We have to move towards a more joined-up system, and devolution will help accelerate the good work that is already going on in Surrey Heartlands.”
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