Manchester plan for ‘joined-up’ NHS and social care could go national
Surely its only a matter of time before the benefits of bringing such an approach to large rural geographies where demography could lead to really big wins in terms of health begins to become part of this debate. This story tells us:
A ground-breaking plan to devolve the £6bn NHS and social care budget in Greater Manchester to the region’s councils and health bodies could become the model for many parts of England.
The shake-up, expected to be announced on Friday, would break down barriers between hospitals and care in the community to ensure a “joined-up” service for patients. The rising elderly population has put huge pressure on hospitals, which often cannot discharge old people because of a lack of social care provided by cash-strapped local authorities hit by spending cuts.
The Greater Manchester blueprint is part of George Osborne’s vision of a “northern powerhouse”, under which a directly-elected mayor in Greater Manchester will enjoy new powers such as housing and transport from 2017. It could allow the Conservatives to trump Labour’s flagship plan to integrate health and social care. The Chancellor’s growing partnership with the region’s Labour council leaders is embarrassing for the party’s national leadership.