Cuts to local NHS Integrated Care Boards

Since the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, NHS England have had a degree of operational independence from the government, but these changes will see the NHS ‘taken back into direct government control’.

Alongside this, NHS Greater Manchester, and other local Integrated Care Boards, have been asked to cut staff and reduce running costs by 50% in the next 6 months. This is of considerable concern, and we offer our support and thoughts to our NHS colleagues across Greater Manchester at this difficult time.

At this point, it is difficult to assess what this will mean, in terms of the impact on voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) groups in Greater Manchester. When we highlighted sector instability and challenges earlier this year, we received commitments, letters and discussions of support from councils, NHS partners, and the Combined Authority. We know this is a difficult time for all those who do what they do for the communities and citizens of Greater Manchester, and the spring budget is increasingly unlikely to lighten the pressures on us, our partners or our communities. Partners have been supportive, but the reality is that the operating environment is challenging for all.

Our partners, NHS GM have noted that their priority is to support staff, understand the impact locally, and ensure they continue to provide the high-quality care on which people in Greater Manchester depend. Behind these proposed cuts are real people, dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly to care for others and make a difference.

As a VCFSE Leadership Group, we offer our support and commit to improving integrated, prevention-driven community and neighbourhood delivery. We commit to this in Greater Manchester and to making the case nationally at every opportunity.