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GM devolution partnership signs MoU with voluntary sector

GM devolution partnership signs MoU with voluntary sector
3 February 2017



Greater Manchester health and social care partnership has signed an agreement with the area’s voluntary sector, in the first collaboration of its kind in England.

The five-year memorandum of understanding is back by more than £1.1m in investment from the city’s transformation fund and builds on their five goals to improving health and social care in the devolved area.

The area has a transformation fund of £450m to push forward changes needed to create a sustainable care system. 

Greater Manchester health and social care partnership has signed an agreement with the area’s voluntary sector, in the first collaboration of its kind in England.

The five-year memorandum of understanding is back by more than £1.1m in investment from the city’s transformation fund and builds on their five goals to improving health and social care in the devolved area.

The area has a transformation fund of £450m to push forward changes needed to create a sustainable care system. 

The MoU was established to find a new way for the statutory and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector to work together to promote community-based care, help hospitals work together and share more across public services.

Greater Manchester VCSE comprises 15,000 organisations, including 5,000 major providers of health and social care, 5,000 community development organisations and 4,000 sports and leisure organisations.

Alex Whinnom, chief executive of Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation (GMCVO), member of the VCSE, said the agreement showed ‘we are not afraid of radical change’.

The partnership and VCSE sector have agreed to enable conversations between both sectors in the form of focus groups and discussions, and ensure that VCSE leaders are represented at strategic boards and working parties. 

Lord Peter Smith, chair of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said: ‘The voluntary, community and social enterprise sector is vital to developing and delivering solutions to the some of the most persistent and pressing health and social care issues in Greater Manchester.

‘This agreement is hugely welcome and I look forward to building on the strength of our existing relationships and the opportunities presented by devolution to involve local groups and communities in the transformation of health and social care.’

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