The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has become the first ‘Keep it Local’ integrated care system (ICS) in the country following agreement at the Partnership Board in March.

In the face of pressures on health and social care, this national initiative is focused on how the NHS works with its partners to prioritise supporting, partnering with and commissioning local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector partners. They recognise how local VCSE partners produce "high-quality people-centred services with intrinsic social value" that is a vital for a progressive ICS with unique expertise and insights to reduce health inequalities in communities.

West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership will adopt the principles and approach outlined by Locality in their new report, Keep it Local for Better Health: How Integrated Care System can unlock the power of communities, launched in February 2024.

West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership will be supported by Locality over the next 12 months to embed the ‘Keep it Local’ approach, building on their work outlined in the memorandum of understanding between the ICB and the VCSE sector in West Yorkshire and our strategic VCSE Alliance known as the Power of Communities.

 Kim Shutler, VCSE Member of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and Senior Responsible Officer for the Power of Communities Programme said:

We know that our local VCSE organisations, particularly our grassroots and small organisations, are experts in developing services to tackle health inequalities and key to prevention and generating good health and wellbeing in our communities. That is why the NHS in West Yorkshire have invested in the VCSE sector. However, VCSE organisations operate in increasingly difficult environment. A truly ‘Keep it Local’ approach will make it easier to support and work with our local VCSE organisations and increase local spend to invest in our local economy.”

Read the full announcement on the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership website.