Collaborative networks
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01. What’s a health alliance?
Health alliances are an effective approach to coordination and collaboration, through the involvement of government ministries of health, civil society, and UK non-government and NHS agencies in a consultative prioritisation process.
Community Impact Bucks hosts the BOB VCSE Health Alliance and supports the project, alongside infrastructure organisation counterparts in Oxfordshire and Berkshire West, to deliver the BOB VCSE Health Alliance of member VCSE organisations.
This is done working collaboratively to improve health care systems for people across the three counties of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West.
02. What does VCSE mean?
VCSE stands for voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. It has also been called the third sector, the charity sector, or civil society in different times and contexts.
The NHS also sometimes refers to Private, Independent and Voluntary Organisations (PIVO) which includes for-profit as well as not-for-profit organisations.
03. Why is the Alliance important?
The Alliance’s vision is that VCSE organisations are valued and equal partners in the Integrated Care System.
We believe that partnership working will enhance the health and well-being of the population of BOB. It will help work towards the goals of integrated care systems through the BOB VCSE partnership principles to:
- Improve outcomes in population health.
- Tackle inequalities in health outcomes, experience and patient access.
- Enhance productivity and value for money.
- Support broader social and economic development.
04. How does BOB VCSE Health Alliance work?
The Alliance fosters collaboration among VCSE organisations and between the VCSE sector and the NHS.
It recognises the differing professional, regulatory and cultural contexts of the VCSE and the NHS, and consider them to be complementary. We know that we have more in common as we are all committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the population of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West.
As a member, you can join the bi-monthly meetings and can access the Alliance’s Ageing Well and Mental Health Action Groups which invite active conversations about relevant subject matter through regular online meetings. The discussion topics are then woven into wider conversation across the BOB VCSE Health Alliance. For more information on membership, visit the BOB VCSE website.
The NHS in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire (BOB) is made up of a small number of very large trusts with significant legal duties and a substantial public budget, as well as 182 dental practices, 160 pharmacies and 157 GP surgeries, organised into 50 primary care networks. Collectively the NHS in BOB region spends around £3bn per year and employs around 60,000 people.
You can read our recent report, ‘A Real Values Thing’, to understand more about the contribution of the voluntary sector.
05. Who steers the BOB VCSE Health Alliance?
The group is made up of the local infrastructure organisations whose own role is to support the VCSE organisations in their area.
The steering group guides the work of the Alliance and helps develop partnership structures with the NHS. It brings together the VCSE local infrastructure organisations in the counties and district that comprise the BOB integrated care system.
The steering group has nominated members who also sit on the Health & Wellbeing Boards of the counties and districts:
- BOB Integrated Care Partnership
- BOB People Committee
- BOB Place & System Development Committee
- BOB Health Inequalities working group
- Oxfordshire Place Partnership
Have any questions about the Alliance?
Email Stephen Barnett – Alliance Director or Kirsty Wright - Alliance Comms Lead at bobvcsehealthalliance@communityimpactbucks.org.uk
06. What are the benefits of being a VCSE member of the Alliance?
The Alliance has over 300 VCSE members which contribute by participating in events, action groups and sharing knowledge through our case studies. As a member, you can:
- Connect with similar organisations and peers.
- Share knowledge and learn from each other’s experiences.
- Get insight into the wider health system.
- Bring understanding from a delivery level back to decision-makers to improve services.
- Gain a network of supportive organisations that can help cross-refer.
- Promote one another and improve health outcomes in the long term.
Join the Alliance membership
Membership is free and includes a monthly e-newsletter, collaborative learning sessions, attendance at a biannual health assembly and opportunity to raise the profile of your organisation through our member spotlight. Complete the online form
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