Readers may or may not have heard about ICS – Integrated Care System. But it heralds major changes in the way health and social care is delivered not only in Wigan but throughout the country.

They are partnerships of health and care organisations which will plan and deliver services seamlessly whilst working to improve the health of people living and working in their area.

The four aims of each ICS are:

• To improve outcomes in the population’s health and healthcare

• Tackle inequalities in access, experience, and outcomes

• Enhance productivity and value for money

• Help the NHS support broader social and economic development

The government now plans to put ICSs on a statutory footing following several years of locally-led development. They are taking over the responsibilities of the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and will, unlike CCGs, also be responsible for strategic planning for the area.

And one of the first steps to that end in the Wigan Borough is the ICS ‘Involving People and Communities Workshop’ on Wednesday, June 22 from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Edge, Pottery Road, Wigan.

Led by Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh, the workshop is open to organisations involved in health and social care, Voluntary Community Sector and Faith (VCFSE) organisations and members of the public –

• to agree a shared vision and set of basic principles about ICS community and public involvement

• to ensure all within ICS can and does understand their responsibility to involve people and communities

• to ensure that public involvement is enshrined in the governance and working outlines

• to ensure that local people know how, when and where they can get involved and why it is so important that they do so

• to build on existing infrastructure by strengthening involvement opportunities

Professor Craig Harris, Managing Director and Chief Accountable Officer of Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group will give an overview of Integrated Care Systems and what it means for the Borough and will explain the 10 principles for how ICSs work with people and communities.

This will be followed by short presentations from local system partners on how they involve people in their work and we will then break into workshops to develop a model for engagement in this Borough.

The event will close with a Q & A panel made up of the Chief Executive of Wigan Council, the Director of Strategy and Planning of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a representative of Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust, Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh, a patient representative and a representation from the Borough’s Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisations.

YOU are invited. We want to hear from the public, patients, members of Patient Participation Groups, Hospital Governors, and patient representatives, Healthwatch volunteers, members of the VCFSE organisations, young people and staff and professionals working within the health and care services in our Borough.

There is free parking at The Edge and lunch will be provided. There will be a quiet room for anyone who may need some time out.

Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements or if you have any access issues. BSL interpreters will be available on the day throughout the event.

Numbers are limited so to book your place today for what will be a lively discussion. For further information contact Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh on 01942 834666 or email karen.wilson@healthwatchwiganandleigh.co.uk