Commitment made to working with the Voluntary Sector

A new agreement signed by seven organisations across three counties is demonstrating West Wales’ commitment to working differently with the third sector.

In September 2011, Hywel Dda Health Board, the three Local Authorities and three County Vouluntary Councils (CVCs), delivered Wales’ first health and social care ‘co-design framework’, a comprehensive report called A Co-designed Future: The Third Sector Role in Health and Social Care in Hywel Dda.

The report recognised the contribution of the third sector in the delivery of services that support patients and carers, marking a new strategic direction for joint work with the third sector in supporting health, social care and wellbeing.

As part of the report, a number of recommendations were made, including the development of a tripartite (health, local authority and third sector) Compact Agreement across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

This Compact Agreement has now been signed by the Chief Executives of Hywel Dda Health Board and of the County Councils and County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) across the three counties.

This Compact Agreement is the first in Wales to have a seven party agreement across three county areas, demonstrating that West Wales has a clear commitment to working differently with the third sector and to recognising the sector as an equal partner alongside its statutory bodies.

Trevor Purt, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda Health Board said: “The signing of this Compact Agreement gives a very clear signal to all that we want to see things done the right way. We believe that this agreement is what will lead to real change across the wide range of services we all deliver.”

Mark James, Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “The third sector plays a major role in the delivery of services, especially so at a time when there is increasing demand on limited resources. Here in Carmarthenshire we have long-since recognised the importance of the third sector, but this agreement reinforces our commitment to working – and delivering – in partnership.”

Mandy Jones, Executive Director of CAVS welcomed the new agreement: “It is good to see the work of the sector being formally recognised through the Compact. Third sector organisations currently make a huge contribution to the delivery of services and community activity across the region. Many organisations are keen to be given the opportunity to extend and further develop their role and the signing of the Compact is an important step in this process.”

To download a copy of A Co-Designed Future: The Third Sector Role in Health and Social Care in Hywel Dda please visit www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk .