Are you part of a voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE) organisation in Southampton? Do you feel involved in decisions about local health issues?
Here at Southampton Voluntary Services, we are hosting conversations about the links between NHS, local authority and VCSE organisations when it comes to health and care issues. At a recent meeting, the following points were made. We want to know if you agree?
- Over recent years Southampton’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations have lost our autonomy and voice, when it comes to being part of the wider “Integrated Care System”. It feels that the big organisational changes that have evolved recently in health and care have been a result of a top-down approach to decision making.
- The VCSE sector needs to develop a stronger voice in respect of the partnership with the NHS and local authorities through the Integrated Care System.
- We need the VCSE sector to work together to decide about the issues that matter to us, and then clearly communicate those issues with a united voice. This is where some form of alliance between VCSE organisation would be helpful. Our working title of this new alliance is the Southampton Health and Care Alliance (SHACA).
- We need to further develop partnership between organisations, both within the VCSE sector and with wider organisations including with NHS, local authority and businesses, as collaboration is critical to improving health outcomes for all people.
- Whilst we recognise the VCSE sector is #NeverMoreNeeded, are VCSE organisations really wanted at the decision-making tables? Rhetoric would suggest we are, and we hope we are, but only time will tell!
- VCSEs need to have a valued seat within the decision-making parts of the new Integrated Care System. The VCSE sector needs to be an equal partner, rather than seen as a sideshow.
- In recent years, those that plan and spend money on health services have sometimes seen VCSE as a marketplace, where organisations are competing with each other through commissioning processes. We welcome moves towards a more collaborative approach. VCSE sector is strongest when we work together and mutually support each other.
- Lots of people seem confused about all the different networks and groups that discuss health issues. It would be helpful if Southampton Voluntary Services got organisations together to map what is happening when it comes to health, and understand who from the VCSE is involved and how. This will help us work better in partnership if we know who is doing what.
Why do we ask these questions?
Here is the context. The picture below shows the new Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System. We are the part of it highlighted by a yellow arrow and referred to as “As alliance of Voluntary and Community organisations working in partnership”. We will work to understand how the Southampton part of this jigsaw fits with the wider VCSE sector across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Those of you who keep an eye on local health news and Southampton Voluntary Services’ newsletter may remember that all Southampton community organisations were invited to attend meetings in July 2022 and January 2023 to talk about our role in the local health and care system.
It was decided that a few organisations would come together to work out some details of a new Southampton Health and Care Alliance (SHACA). This group would then develop some recommendations, which would be taken back to the wider Southampton VCSE sector (via Southampton Voluntary Services) for its consideration. It is anticipated that the alliance will be made up of all the varied Voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises that play a role in improving health outcomes in Southampton, and so will be a very broad alliance.
Southampton Health and Care Alliance, first meeting of a Task and Finish Group, 31.03.2023
(left to right) Annie Clewlow from Communicare, Ricky Rossiter from Social Care in Action, Rob Kurn from Southampton Voluntary Services, Chrissie Dawson from Mountbatten Group and Paul Hedges from Saints Foundation. Photo by Rebecca Kinge, Southampton Voluntary Services
Other members of the group will attend future meetings.
On 31 March 2023, some of us met to discuss the detail of how the new SHACA network could be set up, how it will link with Integrated Care System and ensure that there is appropriate representation from the VCSE sector on decision-making boards and committees within the health and care system.
We came up with the bullet points at the start of this blog, as a starter for 10. Do you agree with them? Please share your views with us, and together we can make sure the new alliance is set up in the most effective way. Our next meeting is the third week of April 2023 and then will be further meetings in May. So please do tell us your views so they can be incorporated into the thinking. Our next work will focus on the vision and values of SHACA, be clear about the functions of SHACA. We will later look into how all members of the voluntary and community sector can be well represented by SHACA, and be a transparent, inclusive and effective network.
Please contact Rob Kurn or Rebecca Kinge from Southampton Voluntary Services if you would like to share your views or get involved.