District Councils Network responds to Health and Care Integration White Paper

Commenting on the publication of the Government’s Health and Care Integration White Paper, Chair of the District Councils Network Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen said:

“Early intervention is clearly a goal of this White Paper, which is pleasing to see. This vital preventative agenda is the role of district councils and should not be overlooked as we work to get and keep people healthier for longer, no matter where they live.

“Our services, such as those improving wellbeing, providing housing and homeless prevention, as well as our provision of parks and green spaces all play a crucial role in providing early intervention. They prevent people from needing to use our under pressure social work or health services and are an important piece in the health and care jigsaw. They should be utilised within local partnerships in developing Integrated Care Systems across the country, unlocking community capacity and collaborative working at a local level.

“If these long-awaited efforts to go further and faster to integrate health and care services are to be a success, it’s important that the Government works with DCN councils as well as the NHS and care providers to ensure our services can work hand in glove together and people can get the most rounded and integrated support possible.

“By doing this, we can ensure truly local place-based solutions to health inequalities are pursued.”