At the recent VCFSE engagement Group of West Northamptonshire, Anne Rackham of NHFT gave an update on the framework for Neighbourhood health across Northamptonshire.

The slides for this session can be viewed here

In essence, Neighbourhood health is about bringing health approaches to local people, in local communities or Neighbourhoods. The framework is complex and complicated and is full of many moving parts.

How health will be delivered within this context is a matter for the Health and Wellbeing Boards of both West and North Northamptonshire, but in many cases the VCFSE could provide valuable and cost-effective solutions at a local level.

 

Attendees noted a few key and salient points for further consultation and discussion:

 

• How will the wider VCFSE be able to contribute to discussions?

 

• How will organisations bid for funding at a Neighbourhood level?

 

• How can VCFSE organisations be kept informed of decisions and updated on further relevant trends?

 

While the Health and Wellbeing Boards will set the general direction of travel, the Executive Place Boards and what sits below (Local Area Partnerships or Neighbourhood Forums) will convert that general approach into service delivery workplans.

Neighbourhood health is a moving feast, with more discussions to come.

What is clear though is that one singular VCFSE organisation may not be enough to bid for commissioned work around health.

Russell Rolph, the CEO of VIN states:

I think the VCFSE will need to come together to form collaborations at Neighbourhood level to best take advantage of any health funding that’s on offer. Commissioners work to assurance, and one singular VCFSE organisation might not be able to provide that. The strength is in the collective, and that’s something that VIN is looking towards, but first we must understand the priorities within each Neighbourhood and how they might be funded. Stay abreast of these updates by joining our next VCFSE Engagement Group. The date has yet to be decided, so come back to the website regularly for further guidance and possible dates.