Businesses, third sector organisations and the Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) have had two landmark meetings to discuss the future of healthcare and forge new partnerships aimed at improving the health of people living in Morecambe Bay.
Reverend Ian Dewar (pictured below), Lead Chaplain for UHMBT, convened two meetings to connect healthcare leaders with local employers and community groups.
Members of Lancaster and Morecambe Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on Friday 12 September to hear from Aaron Cummins, Chief Executive of UHMBT and incoming CEO of Lancaster and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB). Aaron outlined the Government’s 10-Year Plan for the NHS, highlighting its potential impact on Lancaster and surrounding areas.
This meeting was followed by a second event on Monday 14 September, hosted at the Vale of Lune, where representatives from Lancaster District Community Voluntary Solutions (CVS) - including voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups - engaged in a dynamic discussion about the future of health and care.
Aaron presented the three strategic shifts in the NHS plan:
- From hospital to community
- From treatment to prevention
- From analogue to digital.
Attendees learned how NHS funding will increasingly support community-based care and population health, with a focus on preventing illness and delivering treatment closer to home.
The meetings sparked insightful questions around long-term funding for health-focused charities, strategies to improve employee wellbeing and opportunities to enhance productivity through better health. A strong appetite for collaborative working emerged, with Aaron receiving multiple invitations to visit local businesses and charities to explore partnership opportunities.
Aaron Cummins said: “It’s fantastic to meet and work with such a wide range of local organisations and individuals who share our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of people throughout Morecambe Bay. This kind of collaboration is key to shaping a healthier future for the communities we serve. It also reflects our Trust Strategy – Putting Patients First – which includes a strong commitment to prioritise working more closely with local organisations and partners.”
Rev Dewar said: “These meetings were the first time in recent history that the Chief Executive from the hospitals has met with the Chamber of Commerce and CVS in the Lancaster area. It was a great opportunity to come together and I hope the start of good partnerships that mean the Morecambe Bay area can be the healthiest place to live.”
As Aaron transitions into his new role at the ICB, he proposed a follow-up meeting in six months with CVS members to provide updates on progress and changes aimed at improving health and care across the region.