Cambridgeshire kicks off community services restructure

Strategic health authority NHS Midlands and East announced in October that the existing provider, Cambridgeshire Community Services Trust, would not become a foundation trust.

It was announced earlier this month that some of the trust’s services - including elderly day care – would move be taken over and run directly by Cambridgeshire County Council.

However, commissioners will now consider the future shape and running of community health services for when the trust is dissolved in April 2014. 

A transition steering group from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group; Cambridgeshire Community Services Trust and other existing service providers has been set up to oversee the process.

Maureen Donnelly, lay chair of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG will lead the group.

The group said in a statement they will shortly agree provisional outline plans for which services they want to commission and how. They will then draw up more developed plans and make a final decision in December.

The new arrangements will be fully operation by April 2014, the group said.

Ms Donelly said: “The contribution community services staff make to the local health and social care system is absolutely valued. Staff who provide community services have a vital role to play in delivering the local services we need for the future.”