The Pledge Makers’ third progress reports as part of Synergi’s National Pledge to reduce ethnic inequalities in mental health systems, are published today, on the eve of 42 Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) being established across England on a statutory basis on 1 July 2022, under the Health and Care Act 2022.
Signalling a fundamental shift in how the health and care system is organised, and one of the biggest legislative changes in a decade, there are concerns.
Coming in the wake of the NHS Race & Health Observatory’s rapid review into ethnic health inequalities, which spotlighted racism, health inequalities and poorer outcomes for racialised communities, the progress reports of Synergi Pledge Makers in Greater Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and North East London highlight the value of having Pledge commitments as an anchor.
Emerging from a devastating pandemic, there are signs that the Pledge commitments are taking root. Among the many developments, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has developed a dedicated Clinical Services Inclusion Team. Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership has launched a culturally appropriate mental health fund that has so far funded 39 VCSE organisations.
Once again, the legacy, innovation and community connections of the black and minoritised VCSE sector have been amplified in the Pledge Makers progress reports, leading to new local and national facing collaborations, increased investment and commissioning with leadership and governance positions for greater accountability.
There is also a clear appetite for increased collaboration between the Pledge Makers, connecting with other systems leaders nationally to build a movement for change, the provision of good practice, learning sets and communities of practice with a direct connection to the PCREF and CQC developments.
You can read all the Pledge Makers reports, submission three, here.