Health Foundation’s response to Greater Manchester Councils £6bn NHS budget

Today it has been announced that there will be a £6bn health and social care budget for Greater Manchester to be taken up by regional councils through devolved NHS powers.

Dr Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, comments: 'This is undoubtedly a significant development for the Greater Manchester area. The hope is that leaders of local councils and CCGs in Greater Manchester will be empowered to join-up health and social care services in a way that delivers care based on local need, through the newly formed shadow Health and Wellbeing Board.

'Today’s announcement is fitting with the approach to health and care reform as identified by NHS England in the Five Year Forward View. The NHS needs to transform the way it delivers care. Devolved powers may help in doing this. But it is important to remember that the health service also needs to maintain quality and achieve financial balance at the same time. Any upheaval or reorganisation of the health and social care system should not detract from these aims.'

Media contact

Mike Findlay, Senior Media Manager
T: 020 7257 8047
E: mike.findlay@health.org.uk