Background

In Hampshire and the Solent, health and care services are coordinated through shared plans. These aim to make it easier for everyone to be healthier, reduce differences between communities, and simplify access to support. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for organising and funding NHS services, working with local councils and partners, and making sure decisions reflect local needs. An Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) brings together the NHS, councils, charities, and others to set the overall strategy for the area. The upper tier local authorities of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton are responsible for improving the health of their local population and for public health services.

The main challenges for health and care in Hampshire and the Solent include tackling health inequalities between communities, coordinating complex services across the NHS, councils, and voluntary groups, and adapting to changes in national policy and organisational structures. Overall, while the region has strong plans and partnerships in place, tackling these challenges is key to making sure everyone in Hampshire and the Solent can live healthier, happier, and lead more independent lives.

Health and Wellbeing: What will be devolved to the HSCCA?

The Mayor and Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority (HSCCA) will work alongside partners on policies and programmes that promote positive health and wellbeing across the region. The Mayor’s and the HSCCA’s responsibilities will include:

  • Statutory duty for health and wellbeing: The Mayor and the the HSCCA will have a duty to promote health and wellbeing in Hampshire and the Solent. When they make decisions about how to use their powers and functions, they must actively consider the need to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities across the region.
  • Membership of the Integrated Care Board (ICB): The Government will set an expectation that Mayors are members of the ICB, and that ICBs will engage with Mayors in the appointment of an ICB Chair and involve them in setting their priorities and developing their plans.

Local councils will continue to lead on individual care, public health and support services, while the HSCCA will focus on strategic planning, coordination, and tackling wider health challenges.

Opportunities of devolution

Potential opportunities include:

  • The Mayor and the HSCCA could achieve their legal duty to promote health and wellbeing in Hampshire and the Solent by joining up health policy with key regional strategies that will have a significant impact on the health of local communities in Hampshire and the Solent. These strategies could cover housing and planning (Spatial Development Strategy), economic development (Local Growth Plan), adult skills and employment support (Strategic Skills Plan) and transport provision (Local Transport Plan).
  • The Mayor’s strategic oversight and strong national and local profile will make them a key member of the ICB.

Further reading

For more information on the NHS 10-Year Plan and health responsibilities for local authorities, visit the following resources:

Transport Economic Development and Regeneration Housing and Strategic Planning Skills and Employment Support Public Safety Health and Wellbeing Environment and Climate Change Culture Rural and Coastal