Why is this work important?
Welsh Government Strategy
In 2018, the Welsh Government published ‘A Healthier Wales: our Plan for Health and Social Care’, which sets out the Welsh Government’s plans for a long-term future vision of a ‘whole system approach to health and social care’ focusing on supporting health and wellbeing and preventing illness. This vision includes a focus on moving the emphasis of the health and social care sectors from hospital-based care and treatment to health, wellbeing, and prevention, and home-based care and self-management, with the aim of creating a new National Model of Integrated Care. The @Home Programme is the Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership Board’s response to the Welsh Government’s ambition set out in A Healthier Wales.
Demographic Change
Across Wales, the population is ageing, with many areas seeing an accelerated increase in the number of older people. The average age of people in both Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan is increasing steadily, with those aged 85 and over in the Vale of Glamorgan predicted to increase by 40% in the next 10 years. This means that we have the benefit of people living longer lives. Older people make a massive contribution to our communities though employment, volunteering and unpaid care. In 2018, the report, ‘Living Well for Longer: The economic argument for investing in the health and well-being of older people in Wales’ (Tudur Edwards et al), found that the economic value of the contribution made by older people in Wales was estimated to be £2.19billion each year.
We recognise that as people grow older they are more likely to have complex and long-term conditions. We are determined to deliver services that enable people to live well and continue to do the things that matter most to them for as for as long as possible.
Health Inequalities
There is a clear link between social inequalities and health inequalities. People in some protected groups, for instance people with disabilities or people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities may face additional barriers in accessing healthy social care or be at increased risk of ill health. Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan include some of the most and least deprived areas in Wales. Reducing health inequalities benefits people as it results in longer, healthier lives, and reduces costs associated with poor health both to services and to people.
Partnership Working
In line with our vision for the @Home Programme, we are always looking to improve the ways in which we support the people who live in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to live happier, more fulfilled, and healthier lives. To do this, we need to work closely with organisations from across the Regional Partnership Board, as health and care outcomes are impacted not just by the healthcare received from the NHS or social care from local authorities and their providers, but from other important services, decent quality housing, and a strong local community. As we plan the delivery of care both closer to home and in the community and joined-up services, developing the strength of our partnership will be of vital importance.
Our Priorities
DECHRAU’N DDA
STARTING WELL
We want every child in Cardiff and Vale to have the opportunity to thrive. Our work focuses on children in vulnerable situations and the services that support them.
HENEIDDIO’N DDA
AGEING WELL
We know how hard it can be to find help when people need it the most. We want to make sure there is community support to help people stay as healthy as possible so they can carry on doing the things that matter most to them.
BYW’N DDA
LIVING WELL
As a Partnership we have worked together with people with a learning disability, their families, carers and the third and independent sector to produce a clear direction for the planning and delivery of adult learning disability services across the region over the next five years.