Help to shape the Joint Forward Plan

We’re working with the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) to help shape an NHS Joint Forward Plan setting out how to meet the health needs of the population.

The document is an opportunity for the Trust, ICB and our neighbouring NHS Trusts to work with local people, our health and care partners and staff to develop a plan that is locally owned, delivers the national ambitions and recognises our collective strength in working together to resolve our common challenges.

Mark Axcell, Chief Executive of the Black Country ICB, said: “We want to help everyone in the Black Country have improved health, now and in the future. The Black Country Integrated Care Board is writing a plan with local NHS Trusts to set out how we will work together with other partners to improve health outcomes, tackle inequalities, make sure we make the most of the money and services we have, and to help support our local area and communities to develop.

“In the plan we will describe how we are going to use NHS resources (money and people) to deliver on the NHS targets and requirements set nationally, along with how we will work to meet the health needs of local people.

“Whilst we are producing an NHS plan, we are clear that much of this cannot be achieved alone. We are committed to working with partners in Local Authorities, the community and voluntary sector and with other colleagues such as housing, fire and education, to support the aims as described in our systems Integrated Care Strategy.

“Ultimately, we want to deliver high quality NHS services, that are there when you need them in a more joined-up, preventative, and person-centred way.

“We recognise that health is more than the healthcare system. It is not just about NHS hospitals, doctors or nurses, health is about people’s lives and can be determined by people’s financial and social circumstances. We want to consider all these issues as we write our plan for the next five years.

“We want the plan to be informed by you, the local people using our services and those working within them. It is really important that we focus on putting resources and effort into where it is most needed.

“We know you get asked by many groups and organisations to feed into strategies and plans, however this is a unique opportunity to shape something new so we would love to hear your views.”

To get involved go to https:// blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/get-involved/ current-consultations-and-engagement/ shape-jfp#what-jfp