20/3/2007 - New partnership between health and social care in Cumbria

Health and social care services in Cumbria are coming closer together thanks to a new landmark partnership between Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Primary Care Trust.

The new Health and Wellbeing Board for Cumbria will use the combined expertise of both organisations to tackle health and social care issues across the county.

The Board will also make joint arrangements for the purchase of services for people who require help from both organisations.

A new website - www.cumbria.gov.uk/adultsocialcare/partnerships/cicn- has been created to provide people in the county with more information on how this new approach to health and social care will affect them.

Maggie Chadwick, Chair of the new Health and Wellbeing Board for Cumbria and Chair of the county's Primary Care Trust, said: "To make a success of giving people in Cumbria access to the best of both health and social care, the county council and the Primary Care Trust must work together and do so as closely as possible. 

"The Health and Wellbeing Board will help support this new way of working and I am delighted to be involved as Chair from the beginning."

Councillor Oliver Pearson, Co-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Care and Health in Cumbria, said: "This new arrangement will take cooperation between health and social care in Cumbria to a new level.

"The Health and Wellbeing Board for Cumbria will straddle the worlds of health and social care and help to ensure people receive seamless support from both organisations." 

ENDS

Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337