A Place Based Partnership (formally known as Integrated Care Partnership or ICP) is being developed in Leeds (Leeds health and care partnership), to enable closer working relationships and practice across the health and care sector. Our Third Sector plays a key role in the development of this and Forum Central is committed to ensuring all of our members know about, and can contribute to, this work.

Proposed legislative changes were outlined in the February 2021 Health and Social Care White Paper that requires all areas in England to have a statutory Integrated Care System that will plan and pay for NHS services. From 01 July 2022, ICSs will become statutory organisations absorbing commissioning functions currently undertaken by Clinical Commissioning Groups and NHS England.

Leeds already has a great track record of working in partnership and by developing a strong set of principles and transparent governance, we will ensure that the Leeds health and care partnership fits well into the developing West Yorkshire Integrated Care System (ICS).

A Leeds health and care partnership committee is now being formed and will be operational by 01 July 2022 and includes a representative from the Third Sector.

Leeds Health and Care Partnership (LHCP) Third Sector reference group

Forum Central members are invited to join our bi-weekly reference group meeting to discuss the impact and progression of this work from a Third Sector perspective. The meetings take place on Wednesdays at 9-10am.

Please email [email protected] if you would like to attend or would like more information on these changes and their likely impact.

The Forum Central Health and Care Leaders Network is attended by passionate and influential third sector leaders in Leeds working around health and care. The network meets every 12 weeks and the aims are:

• Identifying, sharing and promoting good practice across the third sector
• Making strong and positive connections across all sectors to encourage sharing of ideas, views and understanding
• Providing a safe space where leaders can meet to challenge the way in which services are delivered and explore new and collaborative delivery options
• Providing the latest information on emerging local and national health and social care agendas and issues, including policy briefings and guest speakers
• Being responsive to leaders’ needs
• Developing an atmosphere of trust, respect and mutuality

The network has grown to nearly 90 members since its inception.

Joining the network

If you are interested in joining this network please email [email protected]

The Inclusion Working Group, established in 2020, provides a safe and inclusive leadership forum for members to consider, influence and embed inclusion best practice in decision making in their own organisations as well as the wider health & social care sector/system of Leeds.

The work of the Inclusion group is underpinned by the principles and spirit of the Black Lives Matter campaign which recognises the historical, current and ongoing structural inequalities impacting on black, minority ethnic and other protected characteristic groups/communities.

The group aims to meet 6 times a year to share information and best practice relating to inclusion. We will have set topics for each meeting, invite key speakers and encourage members to attend and share.

For more details see here.

Joining the network

We welcome new members to join us, ensuring that we fully represent our diverse sector. Contact [email protected] to join the group and access the meeting Zoom link.