Dudley Strategy for Tackling Health Inequalities 2010-15

5. LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPDudley Community PartnershipReducing health inequalities requires action by all services and agencies that havean impact on the economic, environmental and social determinants of health. TheDudley Community Partnership (DCP) provides cross agency leadership by bringingtogether key partners from the public, voluntary, community and business sectors,and is currently chaired by the Chief Executive of NHS Dudley.The DCP has a key role to play in reducing health inequalities, as one of its mainaims is to ensure that all of the partners can work together effectively to improve thequality of life of everyone in Dudley Borough. The Community Strategy provides themain vehicle for doing this.The Dudley Community Strategy (Dudley Community Partnership, 2005) outlines aset of key partnership priorities based on a 15 year vision. This vision is based onthe expressed concerns of local people and agencies‟ own awareness of specificissues affecting the borough. It was shaped by over 5000 local people and morethan 40 community groups. The vision for 2020 is one of sustainable, inclusive andconnected communities across the Dudley Borough.The Community Strategy is revisited every three years. The most recent versionoutlines the aspirations for improvements under six themes, many of which impacton health inequalities, and one of which specifically focuses on health and wellbeing.The Community Strategy provides the overarching plan for all partners to work to. Ithighlights where inequalities exist for certain sections of the population and whereadditional action is required to promote equality. It is based on 5 principles whichshape the way that partners work together. They are:o Promoting equality – tackling inequalityo Safeguarding the futureo Reflecting priorities through physical changeo Delivery in partnershipo Involving peopleDudley Community Partnership is supported by a sub structure of borough widethematic strategic partnerships, which are responsible for developing action plansfor, and overseeing delivery of the priorities within the Community Strategy. TheHealth and Wellbeing Partnership takes a strategic overview of health inequalities,including performance monitoring and regular review of the metrics. It also managesand monitors joint working arrangements between the NHS and the Local Authority.This work is underpinned by the Dudley Health & Social Care CommissioningFramework and Strategy 2008-13, (NHS Dudley and Dudley MBC, 2008) and astrong track record of commissioning older people‟s, learning disability and mentalhealth services.52