AN independent commission has today (6 May) published its report to improve outcomes for Essex residents after identifying urgent challenges facing health and social care.

The Essex Caring Communities Commission calls for radical change in its report by creating a preventative state and stronger connections within local communities.

The commission will implement 23 actions and ensure they are reflected in the proposed creation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority through devolution in Greater Essex.

Actions cover the creation of many services, task forces and boards under five commitments – Places, Work, Civil Society, Community Influence and Prevention.

The actions include:

Essex Retirement Service, enabling an ageing population to stay active and socially connected to contribute to their communities

Library of Things, enabling people to use more public sector assets for the benefit of their communities
Multi-agency triaging hubs, enabling carers, social workers and healthcare staff from different organisations to work together

Office of Prevention within new mayoral authority, ensuring a shift to preventing rather than just reacting to cases with protected spending and best practice

School Ready Task Forces, increasing the number of children ready for secondary school in priority areas by 50% through achieving Key Stage 2 standards

Housing Board, significantly increasing retirement and specialist housing through effective use of public sector estate, brownfield sites and mayoral planning powers

Volunteering Olympics, doubling the number of volunteering opportunities across Essex
Apprenticeship Programme, providing apprenticeship opportunities every year for care leavers and people with disabilities

50+ Task Force, doubling over 50s participation in the local labour market with expanded training, employment support and flexible working

The 11 independent commissioners comprise leaders from the NHS, Salvation Army, political groups, universities and think tanks, led by Commission Chair Councillor Beverley Egan.

Their report follows months of engagements with frontline workers, service users, local organisations and regional bodies to understand the pressures faced and opportunities for change.

Interactive sessions in Colchester, Chelmsford and Basildon saw care groups, hospices, charities and trusts discuss how vital local communities are to improving health, social care and wellbeing.

The full Essex Caring Communities Commission report can be downloaded online.

Councillor Egan, Chair of the Essex Caring Communities Commission, said: “We must be honest and recognise the current way of doing things is not sustainable. Reacting to cases, rather than preventing them in the first place, has become the norm. That is not to say doctors, nurses, carers, social workers and practitioners do not go above and beyond – there is simply not enough joined up support for them to carry on delivering quality yet affordable care.

“As a society, we must ensure the care and support we will all need at some point in our lives is available to everyone. I encourage all Essex residents to view our full report and stay up to date on this exciting work over the coming months.”

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “This is one of the proudest days of my political career and one of the most important pieces of work I’ve been involved with. I welcome this report and thank the commissioners, as well as all those who have engaged with them, for producing it.

“I’m very keen as leader that we look to the future of how we care for people, not just now but in the decades to come. How we care for the most vulnerable in society is one of the most important things any society can do.

“This report makes clear that things cannot simply continue as they are. The Essex Caring Communities Commission is prepared to radically transform outcomes for residents while addressing the demand on public services. It’s one of the only reports of its kind in the UK.

“The opportunity of devolution in Greater Essex will enable much change by bringing more power to local people, including the proposed creation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority.”

Commissioner Tony Daniels, Territorial Director of Community Services at the Salvation Army, said: “This report demonstrates the universal opportunities and challenges that striving to deliver preventative and joined-up multi-disciplinary social care services, across a densely populous, complex, and diverse geo-social demographic, presents to local authorities.

“However, positively, and perceptibly what it raises is ‘evidential hope’ that smarter, reimagined, co-designed and ‘non-reactive’ service delivery, could go a significant way in precipitating the structural paradigm shifts necessary, towards developing sustainable social care and health pathways for future generations.”

Commissioner Pamela Donnelly, Chief Executive of Colchester City Council, said: “This report recognises the urgent need for action and the real opportunities we now have to rethink how we support people in Essex. Building stronger local networks and shifting focus to prevention will make a lasting difference. As a council, we’re ready to play our part in delivering these changes so every resident can live a healthier, more connected life.”

Commissioner Tom Abell, Chief Executive of NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “This report is a wake-up call and a blueprint for action. The pressures facing our health and social care services are real and growing, but by working together across communities, we have a real opportunity to shift from crisis response to prevention. I am proud to have been part of this commission and am committed to making sure the NHS plays its full part in delivering the bold, practical actions set out. Together, we can build a system that better supports the health and wellbeing of every resident in Essex.”