Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which sought approval for the adoption and implementation of the SeeHear Commissioning Strategy for those living with sensory impairment in Halton.

          The Board was advised that the SeeHear Strategy was Halton’s first stand-alone commissioning strategy that focused only on sight and hearing impairment for adults and older people. It was reported that its integrated approach would improve the quality of life for Halton residents living with sensory impairment and brought together the commissioning intentions of Public Health, the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Adult Social Care.

          It was noted that the strategic priorities set out in the SeeHear Strategy had been informed by feedback at public engagement events and open consultation with the public and key stakeholders. It was further noted that the Strategy had been considered by the Health Policy and Performance Board at its meeting in September 2014.

The Board was advised that Halton’s Better Care Board would oversee progress in implementing the Strategy, and was accountable to the Council’s Executive Board and the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group’s Governing Body.

Reason(s) for Decision

SeeHear was the integrated health and social care commissioning strategy for sensory impairment 2014-2019. Developed in partnership with NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group, the Strategy responded to future demand and supported delivery of the priorities of the Council, CCG, Halton’s Health and Wellbeing Board and the Community Plan.

The strategy offered a local response to national requirements to integrate Health and Social Care through the Better Care Fund plan and national policy set out in Fulfilling Potential: Making it Happen and UK Vision Strategy.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Halton Borough Council and NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group could have produced individual strategy documents. This would have reinforced unacceptable silo working rather than a whole system approach. The Strategy supported national policy for health and social care to adopt an integrated approach.

Implementation Date

Implementation was ongoing for the lifetime of the Strategy to 2019.

          RESOLVED: That the SeeHear Commissioning Strategy for those living with sensory impairment in Halton 2014-19, be endorsed.