20.05.16
Voluntary sector must no longer be ‘outsider’ in healthcare, says DH report
Problems facing the NHS and voluntary organisations are likely to get worse unless the two sectors work together, a new report says.
The independent review of the role of the voluntary, charitable and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in healthcare – commissioned by the Department of Health, Public Health England, and NHS England – recommended greater commissioning from the sector in order to allow the NHS to save money and integrate health and social care.
However in his foreword, the chief executive of Shared Lives Plus and chair of the review, Alex Fox, warned that many VCSE organisations face an uncertain future due to a lack of funding and inclusion in healthcare planning.
“It is hard to see a future for many VCSE organisations and statutory services alike, if VCSE organisations remain seen as outsiders in a statutory-based system,” he said.
He added that increased commissioning from the VCSE sector could help tackle the NHS deficit, which closed off at £2.45bn at the end of the last financial year according to figures released today.
He also said their “holistic, long term, relational and locally-rooted” approach to providing services could help fulfil Five Year Forward View aims of developing a community and preventative approach to healthcare.
Fox said the best VCSE organisations should be embedded into new models of care such as the vanguard sites, Integrated Personal Commissioning programme, Integrated Care Pioneers programme and the devolution of health budgets to Greater Manchester.
He recommended that NHS England requires local health and care systems to incorporate the underlying principles of the Five Year Forward View in their sustainability and transformation plans, and issues revised guidance on working with the VCSE sector.
He also said the Cabinet Office and Department of Health should consider providing guidance to VCSE organisations on applying for commissioning, and VCSE organisations should be provided with more long-term funding.
Alistair Burt MP, minister for community and social care, said: “I welcome this report, which confirms the vital role the voluntary sector plays in the health and care system. We know there is more work needed to promote and foster these valuable relationships and we will work with the sector and partners to consider how best to realise the aims of the report.”
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