31.10.13
The King’s Fund calls for stronger commissioning role for HWBs
Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) must begin to grapple with more pressing challenges, a report from The King’s Fund has urged.
One year on from their establishment, HWBs have made good progress establishing themselves, the report found. But continuing on their current trajectory would offer only a “limited role” as information-sharers and high-level coordinators.
Taking on a stronger commissioning role will be essential, which will have implications for their composition, size and additional professional support. Developing a strong partnership between CCGs and local authorities offers HWBs the “best prospect to make a real difference”.
The King’s Fund highlights the need for HWBs to address their relationship with NHS England so they are more active and engaged partners, and include an enhanced role for public engagement, as well as better engagement with housing leads.
Richard Humphries, assistant policy director at The King’s Fund and the report’s lead author, said: “Our report shows that health and wellbeing boards have made good progress in their first full year, establishing positive working relationships with CCGs and agreeing local health and wellbeing strategies. Their challenge now is to move from development to delivery.
“Their role in signing off the £3.8bn joint investment in health and social care is a big opportunity to demonstrate their ability to offer credible leadership across the whole system of health, care and public health.”
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