ENGAGING IN THE HEALTH, SOCIAL CARE AND WELLBEING STRATEGY PROCESS

There have recently been some significant changes to the way in which health care is organised within Wales. This briefing paper will define these changes, their challenges and opportunities, and consider how the Christian Voluntary Sector should respond.

In 2003 Wales' 5 Health Authorities were replaced with 22 Local Health Boards (LHBs) whose boundaries deliberately coincide with Wales' 22 local authorities. These new bodies are of particular relevance to Christian Voluntary Sector projects involved in health, social care and wellbeing not least because they are responsible for the monies the old Health Authorities used to invest in the voluntary sector. The last available figures for 2001 demonstrate that this amounted to £8.5 million.

The Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy Process

How is this to be achieved?

1) Needs Assessment

First, the LHB and local authority must undertake a "Needs Assessment" to identify the unmet health, wellbeing and social care needs within the community. It should address the provision of and access to services, activities and amenities that are needed to respond to health inequalities. The Needs Assessment will then inform the strategy priority setting, and the decisions about effective use of resources. It must be subject to formal consultation for a period of a minimum of 8 weeks, and should actively involve patients, service users and carers.

2) The Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy

Having completed the Needs Assessment the LHB and local authority can then move to actually define the Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy. The Strategy must be subject to a consultation period of at least 12 weeks.

The creation of the strategy consists of 4 stages:

• The publication of a Draft Needs Assessment. (Done already)
• Open Consultation on the Draft Needs Assessment. This must be open for a minimum of 8 weeks, to involve patients, service users and carers.
• The publication of the Draft Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy. This must be done by March 31st 2004, and open for consultation for a period of at least 12 weeks. By 31st December 2004, the Strategy must be formally adopted.

The Christian Voluntary Sector and the Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy Process? Failure to engage with the consultation runs the risk that the LHB and local government will be unaware of what the Christian Voluntary Sector provides in terms of health, social care and wellbeing. It will make the sector invisible. Quite apart from anything else it is important that the Christian Voluntary Sector, as a potential funding recipient, is in the LHB's field of view. Participation in this consultation process is also important because it obviously provides an opportunity to be involved in the definition of the strategy. The Christian Voluntary Sector should have a lot to say about "wellbeing"!

AN EXAMPLE OF A RESPONSE FROM GWEINI SWANSEA:

When the Christian Voluntary Sector in Swansea recently looked at the Swansea Needs Assessment it was concerned to see that the assessment of current capacity made no reference to the important work of the sector. Gweini Swansea's consultation response highlighted this omission and asked that the work be mentioned in the forthcoming strategy document. This consultation response - which has been acknowledged and its contents noted - included mention of the following initiatives:

"Groups range widely, from those with their own premises, like the Methodist Church's National Children Home, the Church in Wales Family Centre in Bonymaen and the Christian Counselling Centre (which incorporates volunteers from over 20 different churches) who own Nicholaston House. This like Llanmadoc Camp provides accommodation for a peaceful short break. Then to groups like Breakout, the Gap, the Goldfish Bowl and Red Cafe's GLIDE and music mix - who will go out to where they are needed to provide a service in many areas including team building, environmental and fair trade issues and promoting self worth.

Many churches hold marriage preparation classes as well as carry out weddings. There are christenings and dedications, parenting classes, parent and toddler groups, after school clubs, homework clubs, children clubs, youth clubs, alternative curriculum provision, prison visiting and support, a Football League and teams, aerobics and other exercise classes. Churches go into schools to take Assemblies and PSE lessons. The arts are well represented with theatre and music as well as one group which provide art and drama therapy. Churches not only officiate at Funerals but are involved in bereavement counselling, care and support. KEY Hope, amongst other groups, offer Crisis in Pregnancy which gives Pregnancy and pre and post abortion counselling.

Their buildings are facilities often used for community use such as help the aged kitchens, drop in centres, community education classes, and health support groups. Many are officially available to emergency planning.

Some groups such as Prospects provide homes for those with learning difficulties. There are other small housing projects too. There are various other groups such as Christians against poverty, those giving debt advice, those offering family therapy. Then there is the area of Chaplaincy work in Hospitals, University, the prison and other specific groups...

What can I do now?

Given that draft Needs Assessments are already out to consultation, do not delay contacting your LHB and asking for a copy. If you have missed the deadline don't worry. As noted above, the Needs Assessment goes on to inform the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy. Ask that your details be added to the database and that a copy of the Strategy be sent you as soon as it is released for consultation. All LHB's are required to have their draft strategies in place by the 31st March, and open for consultation for a minimum of 12 weeks.

WALES' LOCAL HEALTH BOARDS:

Anglesey Local Health Board

Address: 17 High Street, Llangefni, Ynys Mon
Post Code: LL71 1LT
Tel No: 01248 751229
Web Site: http://www.angleseylhb.wales.nhs.uk

Conwy Local Health Board

Address: Glyn Colwyn, Nant y Glyn Road, Colwyn Bay
Post Code: LL28 7PU
Tel No: 01492 536586
Web Site: http://www.conwylhb.wales.nhs.uk

Denbighshire Local Health Board

Address: Ty Livingstone, HM Stanley Hospital, St. Asaph, Denbighshire
Postcode: LL17 0RS
Tel No: 01745 589601
Web Site: http://www.denbighshirelhb.wales.nhs.uk

Flintshire Local Health Board

Address: Preswylfa, Hendy Road, Mold, Flintshire
Postcode: CH7 1PZ
Tel No: 01352 744103
Web Site: http://www.flintshirelhb.wales.nhs.uk

Gwynedd Local Health Board

Address: Eryldon, Campbell Road, Caernarfon, Gwynedd.
Postcode: LL55 1HU
Tel No: 01286 672451
Web Site: http://www.gwyneddlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Wrexham Local Health Board

Address: Ellis House, Kingsmills Road, Hightown, Wrexham
Postcode: LL13 8RD
Tel No: 01978 290883
Web Site: http://www.wrexhamlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Bridgend Local Health Board

Address: North Court, David Street, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend,
Postcode: CF31 3TP
Tel No: 01656 754400
Web Site: http://www.bridgendlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Carmarthenshire Local Health Board

Address: Thyssen House, Heol y Bwlch, Bynea, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire
Postcode: SA14 9SU
Tel No: 01554 778593
Web Site http://www.carmarthenlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Ceredigion Local Health Board

Address: 1st Floor Offices, Nat West Bank, 37 High Street, Lampeter,
Ceredigion.
Postcode: SA48 7BD.
Tel No: 01570 423983
Web Site: http://www.ceredigionlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board

Address: Suite C, Britannic House, Llandarcy, Neath.
Postcode: SA10 6JQ
Tel No: 01792 326500
Web Site: http://www.neathporttalbotlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Pembrokeshire Local Health Board

Address: Unit 5, Merlin's Court, Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
Postcode: SA61 1SB
Tel No: 01437 771220
Web Site: http://www.pembrokeshirelhb.wales.nhs.uk

Powys Local Health Board

Address: Mansion House, Bronllys, Brecon, Powys. Post Code
Postcode: LD3 0LS
Tel. No: 01874 711661
Web Site: http://www.powyslhb.wales.nhs.uk

Swansea Local Health Board

Address: Raglan House, Charter Court, Phoenix Way, Swansea Enterprise Park,
Swansea
Post Code: SA7 9DD
Tel No: 01792 784800
Web Site: http://www.swansealhb.wales.nhs.uk

Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board

Address: Station Hill, Abertillery
Post Code: NP13 1UJ
Tel No: 01495 325400
Web Site: http://www.blaenaugwentlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Cardiff Local Health Board

Address: Trenewydd, Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff
Post Code: CF5 2LD
Tel. No: 029 2055 2212
Web Site: http://www.cardifflhb.wales.nhs.uk

Caerphilly Local Health Board

Address: Ystrad Mynach Hospital, Caerphilly Road, Ystrad Mynach
Post Code: CF82 7XU
Tel. No: 01443 862056
Web Site: http://www.caerphillylhb.wales.nhs.uk

Merthyr Tydfil Local Health Board

Address: Units 2A & 4A Pentrebach Business Centre, Triangle Business Park,
Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil
Post Code: CF48 4TQ
Tel No: 01685 358500
Web Site: http://www.merthyrtydfillhb.wales.nhs.uk

Monmouthshire Local Health Board

Address: Chepstow Community Hospital, Tempest Way, Chepstow, Monmouthshire
Post Code: NP16 5YX
Tel No: 01291 636400
Web Site: http://www.monmouthshirelhb.wales.nhs.uk

Newport Local Health Board

Address: Wentwood Ward, St. Cadocs Hospital, Caerleon, Newport
Post Code: NP18 1XG
Tel. No: 01633 436200
Web Site: http://www.newportlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Rhondda Cynon Taff Local Health Board

Address: Unit 17/18, Centre Court, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd
Post Code: CF37 5YR
Tel. No: 01443 824400
Web Site: http://www.rhonddacynontafflhb.wales.nhs.uk

Vale of Glamorgan Local Health Board

Address: 2 Stanwell Rd, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan
Post Code: CF64 2AA
Tel No: 029 2035 0600
Web Site: http://www.valeofglamorganlhb.wales.nhs.uk

Briefing Compiled by Adrienne Johnson and Daniel Boucher Gweini Policy Development Officers
January 2004

<< Briefing Papers