Well today’s been good for drawing attention to charities’
work in A&E. We’ve announced a new programme with Red Cross, Age UK and RVS,
funded by the Cabinet Office. 700 charity volunteers to work in the 29 most
under-pressure A&E departments around the country, and help reduce demand
on A&E over the next 12 weeks. See today’s
Telegraph for an excellent roundup by Chris Hope.
Naturally, this is the precursor to bigger things. I’m
making sure that government collect evidence of how charities can reduce the
load on A&E. It’ll be a good evidence base for a wider national intervention
in future years. Charities need to be integral to A&E strategic planning in
future. This programme will help make that happen.
But what of the parties’ thoughts on the third sector’s role
across social care + health? At election time this is the important question.
On 3 March ACEVO’s Health and Social Care Conference is the biggest
such third sector event. In central London (and in front of the BBC + other
cameras!) we’ll have not only Jeremy Hunt but also Labour’s Andy Burnham and
the Lib Dems’ Paul Burstow to put their respective pitches to third sector
leaders. With lots of time for questions. And in the morning we have a session
with Simon Stevens of NHS England – an excellent chance to discuss progress on
his five year forward view.
I highly recommend you come along, whether you’re third
sector leader or anyone else. Tickets here: https://www.acevo.org.uk/event/spring-health-social-care-conference-2015.
See you there!
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