“Achieving Health and Wellbeing
Wellbeing in Northumberland”
Northumberland”
- new ways of working together Welcome to our newsletter which aims to tell you
about Northumberland’s plans to improve the health
and wellbeing of people living in our County.
Cynthia Atkin,
Vice Chair of the
Health and Wellbeing
Board, leading on
Communications and
Engagement
We have a new Health and Wellbeing Board (currently in
‘shadow’ form) which brings key partners from across
health and social care services in Northumberland together to work on
improving the health and wellbeing of local people. This newsletter
tells you more about this work and sets out the key areas we are
planning to focus on over the next few years to really make a
difference in Northumberland. We would like to hear your views on
whether you feel we are heading in the right direction!
What is the Health
ealth and Wellbeing Board?
Health and Wellbeing Boards are
being established across the country.
In Northumberland, a Health and
Wellbeing Board (currently in ‘shadow’
form) has been set up to prepare for
April 2013 when it can operate with the
powers given under the Health and
Social Care Act.
Northumberland
County Council
Local Hospital
Trusts
Key Partners on
The Health and
Wellbeing Board
Northumberland
Healthwatch - new
consumer champion for
health and social care
NHS
Commissioners
Northumberland Local
Medical Committee
This Board brings together key partners from health and care organisations to work
together to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. It will build on existing
partnership work.
The Board aims to help improve the lives of the people of Northumberland by making it
easier for health, adult social care and children’s services to buy better services together
through a process known as ‘joint commissioning’.
The Board will set out their vision for health and wellbeing and a shared direction through a
health and wellbeing strategy.
What does the Health and Wellbeing Board do?
The Board is a committee of Northumberland County Council and currently meets every
two months. It must make sure all its members contribute and that the public is involved in
the process. The Board’s vision for Northumberland is:
To create a culture that allows the aspirations of residents and communities to be fulfilled
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How will it achieve this vision?
By working together using these important principles:
•
To work well together to provide the information, care and support that people need
•
To make our decisions based on quality information and feedback that really makes a
difference to people’s lives
•
For us to do what we can to keep people well and healthy and to stop them from
needing to go into hospital or depending on care services
•
To work with local people and patients to find out their views and ideas to make sure we
are doing the right things in the right way, and being open and honest about what can
and can’t be done
•
•
To make sure that all people can get the services and support they need
To make a real difference to improving the health and wellbeing of local people.
The key to this is Strengthening Partnerships.
Regional and National
Governing Bodies
Overview &
Scrutiny Committee
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Northumberland
Health & Wellbeing Board
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The diagram below shows patients and the public being at the heart of the decision making,
with the other organisations and groups who are committed to make this work.
Northumberland
Healthwatch
Local Providers (inc. private and third sector)
Northumberland County Council /
Northumbria Healthcare (partnership)
Regional and National
Governing Bodies
Social Care
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For further information on how it
all fits together visit:
www.northumberlandlink.org.uk
What have we done so far?
The Health and Wellbeing Board has spent a lot of time looking at all of the available
research and evidence about health and social issues in Northumberland, and has listened
to the views and opinions of local people to come up with five key priority areas that it feels
we really need to focus on in Northumberland if we are going to make a difference to health
and wellbeing. While we can see that good progress is being made in tackling some key
issues, and improving some health conditions such as blood pressure and cancer, there is
less progress in other areas. This is why the following priorities have been chosen:
Our Priority
Areas…
Supporting people with
long term conditions
(e.g. diabetes, asthma,
dementia etc.) to be
more independent and
have full choice and
control over their lives.
Focus on those children
and families, who
without some extra help
and support early on,
would be at risk of having
poorer health, not doing
as well at school, and not
achieving their full
potential in their lives.
Focus on tackling some
of the main causes of
health problems in the
County including
obesity and diet,
lifestyles, alcohol
misuse, and the causes
of poor mental health.
Making sure that all
public services (e.g.
Northumberland County
Council, local NHS Trusts
etc.) support disabled
people and those with
long term health
conditions to stay active
for as long as possible.
Making sure that all
partners in
Northumberland work
well together and are
clear about what they
themselves need to do
to help improve the
health and wellbeing of
local people.
From the evidence we have looked at and from the feedback we have heard, we strongly
believe that by focusing on these five areas over the next three years, we will really make a
big difference to the health and wellbeing of people in Northumberland.
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What do you think?
At this early stage, we really want to hear your views on whether or
not you feel we are moving in the right direction.
Over the coming months we will be talking to individuals and groups in
more detail about how to best take things forward on each of the
priority areas, but for now, we would really welcome your views on…
1) Do you feel the areas are the right ones for the Health and Wellbeing Board to focus on?
2) Are some of the issues more relevant in certain parts of the County than others?
3) Which of the areas are most relevant to you, your family and your community?
4) Is there anything big missing that you feel should be included?
Please share your views by completing our short questionnaire
www.tinyurl.com/HWBSurvey before the 28th September 2012.
If you would like to share your views in another way, or would like the questionnaire in
another format or language, please ring: 01434 600 599.
Would you like to get involved?
If you would like to get involved more in the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board or in
other health or social care forums and networks, please contact the Northumberland LINk
on: [email protected] or telephone: 01434 600 599.
Would you like more information?
If you would like more information about the role of Health and Wellbeing Boards,
there are lots of useful websites you can visit. These include:
i
•
For further details about the priorities visit Northumberland County Council’s health and
wellbeing page: www.tinyurl.com/HWBpriorities
•
The Northumberland LINk website gives details on the role of Healthwatch and how it
will champion the views of the public: www.northumberlandlink.org.uk
•
The Department of Health has produced a short guide to Health and Wellbeing Boards:
www.healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/hwb-guide
•
Northumberland Health and Wellbeing Board details of meetings, agendas and minutes:
www.tinyurl.com/NorthumberlandHWB
Together we can make a difference
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