…involves finding out about them in our fragmented system of local government
I’ve written numerous articles following my December 2021 stays in hospital.
- On public transport and healthcare staff
- On improving local council links with doctors’ surgeries
- On loneliness as a public health and public policy issue
- On weak institutional links with local government
- On co-ordinated long term planning with other sectors
Cambridgeshire County Council’s Adult & Health Committee – 17 March 2022
Above – the committee will be discussing this report on safeguarding adults (item 5)
On all things hearts – the health of the organs
“Recent economic modelling found that by 2040 the current NHS Health Check is likely to reduce absolute health inequalities and is estimated to achieve a return on investment
CambsCC Adult & Health Cttee papers 17 March 2022 – item 11 para 2.1
(ROI) of £2.93 for every £1 spent from a societal perspective, compared to no programme. The greatest improvements in risk reduction were when follow – up was improved.”
Slowly but surely we’re getting there.
One of the outsourced providers is active in Cambridge, contracted to Cambridge City Council. So residents can access their Healthwise Physical Activity Referral scheme.
“The committee is being asked to approve the spend for Cambridgeshire County Council of £1,786,480 [on Healthwatch Cambridgeshire & Peterborough for the next five years]”
Have a look at the papers in item 8 in the papers here. Which is one of the reasons why you could get involved – you’re paying for it in part through your council tax. ( “You pay for it, so use it to feedback your experiences!” )
- Put your questions to their board on 23 March 2022
- Discuss your experiences at the Cambridge & South Cambs Forum on 06 April 2022
Alternatively, go straight to the providers – such as those who fund our NHS dentists (the few that are left) and GPs.
Get involved with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Care Commissioning Group. (Some of you may want to go through their governing body papers here)
For those of you interested in all things mental health services…
There’s the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Foundation Trust – get involved here.
And for CUH/ Addenbrooke’s
Even Cambridge Ahead is advertising their vacancies on their board of governors.
I’m still of the view that ‘partnership working’ (I don’t like that phrase) is still not nearly close to its potential that it could and should be. The reasons are multiple – whether due to broken structures, silo reporting lines, or even individuals in key posts with the wrong attitude. (It happens more often than we’d like to acknowledge).
For those of you in public office, please consider how easy it is for the public to find out how to find out what your organisation does for their neighbourhood, and how easy it is for them to hold your institution to account – in terms that most of the general public can understand.
Food for thought?
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The Cambridge Town Owl 