CHARITIES, community groups, Carers and people with lived experience are helping shape a new approach to commissioning health and social care services in Dumfries and Galloway.
A report to Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board today highlighted how a new Public Social Partnership is bringing organisations together earlier to identify challenges, develop solutions and influence future service design.
The approach represents a move towards a more collaborative model of commissioning, with charities, communities and people with lived experience helping shape solutions before decisions are made.
Alan Webb, Chief Executive of Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, welcomed the development.
He said: “This is a significant opportunity to build on the strengths, knowledge and experience which already exist within communities across Dumfries and Galloway.
“The third sector works alongside people and communities every day and brings valuable insight into the challenges people face and the support which can make a difference.
“By ensuring organisations, Carers and people with lived experience can co-design services and models of support, we have an opportunity to help shape services around individual and community needs and experiences.”
The Public Social Partnership is being developed jointly by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway as well as several third sector organisations that have an existing contract with the HSCP. As it develops further it is anticipated that other third sector organisations and community groups will join.
The PSP provides a structured way for health and social care services, voluntary organisations, Carers and people with lived experience to work together to explore challenges, test ideas and develop new approaches before longer-term commissioning decisions are made.
Board members heard that the model supports wider ambitions to strengthen prevention, deliver more support within communities and improve outcomes by drawing on the expertise and experience available across the region.
Presenting the paper, Deputy Head of Strategic Planning and Commissioning Viv Gration said: “The intention is that over the next couple of years this will help reduce people’s need for formal care and therefore help address the current pressures on statutory services.”
The report also outlined how the work of the Public Social Partnership could support the development of a Strategic Alliance approach to commissioning services.
Rather than organisations working independently towards separate objectives, a Strategic Alliance model would encourage partners to work collectively around shared outcomes and priorities, helping create more joined-up services while making the best use of available resources.
Mr Webb added: “This approach reflects our ambitions for genuine partnership and collective leadership.
“By bringing together statutory services, the third sector, carers and communities, we have an opportunity to realise and build on the existing strengths of our communities whilst designing services which are more place-led, sustainable and centred on the people who use them.”