The voluntary and community sector (VCS) plays a huge role in supporting the health and wellbeing of local people. Community and charity groups deliver important services, and are in a position to advocate for their particular service users.

It is vital that the VCS has a strong representation with statutory bodies, especially at this time of great change in the health and social care system. For example, since April 2013 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGS) now coordinate most primary care health services.

In response to these changes, we have developed new joint partnership work with the CCGs and with Council Adult Services in both Ealing and Hounslow.

This includes:

• Regular VCS health partnership meetings with CCG and Council Officers
  
• VCS involvement in new Integrated Care Programmes
  
• Discussions on new VCS commissioning via the Better Care Fund
  
• Development of VCS led Care Navigator Programmes
  

We are also supporting VCS participation in the West London Mental Health Integrated Care Programme led by West London Mental Health Trust.

In Ealing we have developed a major new VCS led programme commissioned by the Council Public Health Team. We are also discussing potential new VCS commissioning with the Hounslow Public Health Team.

We are working with NHS West London to consult VCS groups on future hospital services through the Shaping Healthier Futures Programme.

In November 2013 and 2014 and December 2015 we held very successful ‘Health Summit’ events for VCS groups, CCG staff, council staff and local GPs. These fed into a joint action plan. For a copy contact [email protected] .

For latest information on health partnership work in Ealing and Hounslow contact [email protected]

For more information on the work of Ealing CCG visit www.ealingccg.nhs.uk

For more information on the work of Hounslow CCG visit www.hounslowccg.nhs.uk