BLMK Single Operating Plan
The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Sustainability and Transformation Partnership have submitted a “milestone” joint strategic plan – the Single Operating Plan – which sets out its aims for 2018/19 to NHS England. Historically health and social care organisations have developed their strategic plans in relative isolation of each of other. However, this year the whole health and care system in BLMK have worked together to create a single plan for the region, in collaboration with clinicians and wider stakeholders.
Richard Carr, Senior Responsible Officer for BLMK and Chief Executive of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “The development of this single plan for our system for 2018/19, for all its imperfections, is a significant milestone. We have invested in our noble cause. In 2017/18 we became one of eight first wave Integrated Care Systems, with our ambition to mature from our current shadow status into a ‘live’ Integrated Care System during 2019/20.
“The ask for our partnership in 2018/19 is significant, with the system carrying material financial pressures, against the context of rising demand, particularly for emergency reactive services, and inequality of health and quality outcomes. These pressures are increasing and there is a requirement to future proof our services in the context of significant population growth, reinforced by the National Infrastructure Commission’s proposals for the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor, to which BLMK is central.
“Our single system operating plan for 18/19 describes how we will can build on all we have achieved during 2017/18 and what our focus will be for the coming year. I would like to record my sincere thanks to all the health and council partners in BLMK for their commitment and support for our ‘noble cause’. I look forward to the next year on our journey as an Integrated Care System and to us working together to deliver tangible improvements to the health and wellbeing of local people.”
The full plan can be downloaded from the BLMK website by clicking here.