Welcome to the March issue of The Triangle
It finally seems as through spring has arrived and, with longer days just around the corner, it is great to be able to look to the future with positivity.
And there is much positive news to report. The BSW Integrated Care Board (ICB) held its regular meeting in public last week during which ICB Board members came together to take part in another productive session.
We covered lots of ground including our recovery after the covid pandemic, our updates on operational performance, our financial position and our emergency preparedness. We heard an update about the way ophthalmic, dentistry and pharmacy services will be commissioned in the future, with responsibility for commissioning these services passing to BSW ICB from 1 April. We acknowledged this gave us a real opportunity to design these services to meet the needs of our residents locally.
You can read more about the meeting and access papers and reports in this issue of The Triangle.
You can also read about the progress we have been making with some of our key areas of work in terms of addressing the inequalities in health outcomes that exist across our Integrated Care System area and in working more closely with our partners in the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector.
We hear about the strategies being put in place by Swindon Borough Council to help some of the most disadvantaged communities in our Integrated Care System area stop smoking and find out more about a new provider for Special Educational Needs support for families in Wiltshire.
We also welcome news that the Bath and North East Somerset based Community Wellbeing Hub is setting up an outreach office at the Royal United Hospital in Bath to offer more help and support to patients leaving hospital.
Thank you once again for taking the time to read this issue of The Triangle and, as always, please let us know what you think by emailing: bswicb.partnership@nhs.net
Sue Harriman,
Chief Executive Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board
Stephanie Elsy,
Chair, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board