Efforts to improve the social care, health and well-being of residents across North Wales was one of the key items on the agenda for a visit by Welsh Government Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care, Huw Irranca Davies AM.
Mr Davies was invited to a meeting of the North Wales Regional Partnership Board in St Asaph where he heard how local authorities, Beti Cadwaladr University Health Board and partners are all working together on joint initiatives that have a direct impact on people’s health, well-being and independence.
Mr Davies heard about some of the Board’s achievements to date, including the completion of a population needs assessment and the creation of an area plan; launch of a regional website; the development of a workforce strategy; joint working with the Public Services Board and work around carers. Work has also been done on trialling pooling budgets into one pot and making best use of the money available across the North Wales region, to make sure services are integrated.
It’s all about the work having a direct impact on residents and improving outcomes for them.
Councillor Gareth Roberts, Chair of the Regional Partnership Board, said: “We were delighted that Mr Davies was able to join us, to hear about the tremendous amount of good work going on in our region. We have a big ambition in North Wales and it’s all about putting people first, working our services around the needs of residents.
“In a region such as ours, sharing resources, experiences and skills is vital. We all have a common goal and there is a firm commitment from all organisations involved to make that dream become reality.
“Of course, there is work left to do and we have a clear plan for moving forward. We are working together in a range of different fields, including older people and children with complex needs; people with learning disabilities; carers and mental health.
“Ensuring that our staff have the right training and skills is also a vital part of our future plans”.
Huw Irranca-Davies said: “ I was very pleased to attend a meeting of the North Wales Regional Partnership Board today to hear about their progress in delivering integrated and sustainable care services which improve people’s well-being. The recent published A Healthier Wales – Our Plan for Health and Social Care clearly sets out the Welsh Government’s ambition for seamless services.
Regional partnership boards have been required to established pooled funds in relation to the provision of care home accommodation for adults from April. I was particularly pleased to learn about the pooled fund established in North Wales and to discuss the benefits of this approach to support genuine joint commissioning.”