Joint committee for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon sets direction for future health and care service

Board members representing health and care across Cornwall, Isles of Scilly and Devon have agreed (Thursday 26 March) several plans and strategies that provide a clear direction for the future of health and care services across the two areas.

The joint committee, known as the South West Peninsula Board, received 5-year commissioning plans for both Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and Devon, setting a direction for a more community-facing model of care and support.

In line with this, Devon agreed a new dementia strategy, and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly agreed a new carers strategy in partnership with Cornwall Council that will enhance support for carers.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly also signed off its green delivery plan, being taken forward with Volunteer Cornwall.

Reports on system performance, quality and finance, and updates from partners and ICB committees were also presented, alongside a series of patient stories focused on local women’s health services.

John Govett, Chair NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) said:

"I am pleased to see the positive progress agreed at today’s meeting, reflecting the strength of our partnership working across the system."

“The decisions we’ve taken mark an important step forward in improving local health and care services, with a clear focus on delivering better, more joined-up support for our communities, wherever possible working with our community and voluntary sector and local authority partners."

“By continuing to work collaboratively, we are building a stronger, more sustainable system that is better able to meet the needs of the people we serve.”

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s 5-year commissioning plan ‘Caring where it matters' further increases investment in neighbourhood health services, allowing us to continue to deliver more care closer to home, and increasingly shift our focus from sickness to prevention. 

We want all children to have the best possible start in life, for adults to be supported to live well and older people to remain independent for as long as possible, with more support at home, better access to rehabilitation and faster urgent care in the community – supported by faster and more local diagnostics.

We have prioritised improving mental health services and are continuing our plans to improve waiting times for urgent and emergency care, as well as for people awaiting planned care. Our plans will be enabled by greater deployment of digital and AI capabilities.

You can find more information on the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly website.

'One Plan for Devon' is a 5-year commissioning plan that sets out how health and care services will evolve to meet growing demand. 

With Devon’s population increasing and ageing, and more people living with long-term conditions, the plan responds to the need for services to change and adapt.

Read more about the One Plan for Devon.

Cardiology and cardiovascular services incorporated into wider planning for Devon

The Board reflected and agreed that cardiology should be considered as part of a future whole-system approach, rather than proceeding as a standalone specialty review.

This would be within the wider context of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, with its mandate for strengthening preventive work and providing more care close to home.

See more information on the One Devon website.

A dementia strategy for Devon

The Committee endorsed a refreshed dementia strategy for the next 3 years as a system-aligned framework for dementia delivery across Devon.

Libby Ryan-Davies, chief strategic planning and commissioning officer said: 

"I welcome the Board’s endorsement of the refreshed Devon dementia strategy, which reflects the strong partnership working already underway across our system."

"We recognise that dementia can have a profound impact on people and their families, often bringing significant emotional and practical challenges."

"This is an important step forward as we move into delivery, with an early focus on improving post-diagnostic support and strengthening care for people in care homes, working closely with our VCSE partners."

"Together, we are committed to ensuring people affected by dementia in Devon receive the right support, at the right time, in a way that is joined up and meets the needs of our local people.”

A carers strategy for Cornwall

A new strategy to improve support for carers in Cornwall was approved.

Susan Bracefield, chief clinical officer said:

"We welcome the approval of the new all-age carers strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It is a positive step in recognising the vital contribution of unpaid carers and the challenges they face."

“The focus on a single, life-course approach and earlier support is particularly important, helping ensure carers are identified and supported before they reach crisis point."

“We look forward to working with partners to strengthen support for carers across the peninsula.”