Staffordshire bodies create ‘commissioning congress’

The congress, comprising the county’s six clinical commissioning groups, Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and an NHS England representative, will collaborate to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Staffordshire health economy.

It will have three workstreams looking at different areas of work including:

• preventing ill health and encouraging people to manage their own health;
• supporting people who have long-term health conditions to live at home with appropriate support; and
• people who are receiving care in an NHS or social care setting outside their home, including acute and community hospitals

Rita Symons, accountable officer of South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula CCG has been appointed to lead the programme as transformation director.

Ms Symons, who will take up her post on 4 August, is to lead the programme across the eight organisations, working with providers and partners.

Andrew Donald, who is currently chief officer of both Stafford and Surrounds and Cannock Chase CCGs will also take on the chief officer role at South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula CCG.

Alan White, cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing on Staffordshire County Council said: “As Staffordshire people live longer, they want to lead, fuller, healthier and more independent lives.

“It is essential we have the right health and care system in the county to support that, with all council and NHS partners working together as one to provide more effective and efficient care.

“The congress will see our eight organisations work ever closer to design and provide the right health and care services in the right setting.

“There will be a particular focus on prevention so that people are healthier for longer, and increasing support in people’s homes, where people tell us they want to be.”