Warwickshire endorses an integrated approach to health and wellbeing

A Warwickshire County Council debate on the value of integrating public services to improve health and wellbeing received positive support last week.

The special council meeting, on Tuesday 19 February, discussed the motion this council believes that an integrated care system focused on communities is the right way forward for the health and wellbeing of citizens in Warwickshire.

There were eight key speakers at the debate, including representatives from the Coventry and Warwickshire STP, CCGs and local hospices, and also members of the public and advocacy groups such as Healthwatch. All were in agreement about the positive effects of an integrated health and wellbeing system, and the need for transparency, accountability, and to fully engage partners, communities and patients in the move towards a more integrated system.

The motion was agreed along with an amendment to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding is available.

Councillor Les Caborn, WCC Portfolio Holder for Health and Social Care and Chair of Warwickshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “This debate has served as a ringing endorsement of all the work we have been doing over the last few years to move towards a more integrated, countywide health and wellbeing system. It has been great to hear from so many of our key partners today speaking in support of our approach and even better to know that the public also believe in and want to help to attain the joined-up and coordinated system we are working towards. We, as partners, are committed to making Warwickshire the best it can be and continuing to work together to ensure people are getting the support they need at the right time and in the right place.”

To watch the debate go to https://warwickshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home and for papers go to https://democratic.warwickshire.gov.uk

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