Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed the news that plans for integrated health and social care services in Powys headed by a joint senior county council and health board official have been given the go-ahead.
Powys County Council has agreed to a pilot scheme combining the posts of Chief Executive of Powys teaching Health Board and the council’s Strategic Director, Care & Well-Being. The council has agreed that the pilot will initially run for nine months and the Chief Executive of the Health Board will undertake the role. The move will allow a combined management team to be created covering health board services as well as the council’s social care, housing and public protection functions.
Commenting on the announcement, Mr Bates stated:
“I am pleased that Powys continues to pursue innovative solutions to the challenge of delivering health and social care in a rural setting, by giving the go-ahead for plans for an integrated public service pilot.
“The KPMG report earlier this year identified significant cost savings of a merger but also highlighted some concerns, but I do believe that bringing health and social services under one umbrella is a good approach as these services are closely linked.
“The pilot integration of health and social services is a responsible and positive step forward to building on a quality service, as well as improving accountability with the engagement of the local authority and I look forward to more strategic planning to develop health and social care centres in Machynlleth and Llanidloes.
“This is new terrain but we have the opportunity in Powys to pioneer a new approach to delivering on rural needs, which I hope will eventually lead to greater integration, community engagement and cohesion with respect to health and social services.
“I hope the Welsh Government will support the move and also back this up with funding for the delivery of the Rural Health Plan.”
