Greater Manchester to win decision-making powers in health and social care

Greater Manchester could be allowed to make its own decisions around health and social care if negotiations with the Government about a new partnership agreement come to fruition.

The talks follow the devolution settlement agreed by ministers and local authorities in November 2014, which will lead for the first time to a city-wide mayor with control over more than one local authority area.

Following the announcement of that devolution deal, NHS England invited the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and the area’s NHS providers to develop a plan for joining up health and social care across the area. 

A statement issued today on behalf of the NHS and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities said: “This is about creating joint decision-making on an integrated care approach - which recognises the link between physical, mental and social wellbeing.

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The statement stressed: “NHS care will remain free for patients, national standards of care will continue to apply to all NHS services, and the local NHS will continue to meet or exceed service improvements set for the NHS in the annual Mandate agreed between the Government and NHS England.”



Councillor Cliff Morris, GMCA lead on health, said: “Our ambition is clear: To move from being one of the places with the worst health outcomes in the country to becoming one of the best and we believe this could be a huge step towards that goal. By fully integrating health and social care we can focus on preventing illness and promoting well-being across all age groups.”

Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, said: “NHS England is working on this groundbreaking offer to the local NHS in Greater Manchester and elected local authorities because we want to back local leaders and communities who come together to improve the health and care of their residents and patients.”



Chancellor George Osborne described the move as a “really exciting development” but warned that it was “early days”.

He said: “We’re discussing a plan for bringing together the NHS and social care in Manchester so we provide better care for patients. This is exactly what we want to see more of in our health care.

“It’s also about giving Greater Manchester more control over things run in Greater Manchester – which is what our vision of a Northern Powerhouse is all about.”