Council commits to long-term mental health funding
Oxfordshire County Council has committed to continuing to fund its share for mental health services in the region for the next decade.
At a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet on Tuesday 21 January, councillors agreed to contribute £6.2 million each year, for the next ten years, into a pooled budget with health care partners, under plans to bring together existing mental health service contracts.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We work closely with partners in the NHS, sharing a pooled budget for a variety of services, which offer better results for residents and the best use of our combined finances.
“Mental health services are included in this fund and it’s only right that we should continue to commit our fair share to enable residents to access this vital support.
“The ten year duration of the contract reflects our dedication to long-term commitment of identifying gaps in services and ensuring the needs of the population are being met.”
While the county council will continue to financially contribute towards the pooled budget and leads the joint commissioning of services, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) will hold the contract and be responsible for developing it. BOB ICB will also work with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership, consolidating the current contracts into one new agreement.
The new mental health care model has been designed with the support from people who already use the services, their families and people who work in Oxfordshire’s mental health sector.
By gaining the views of these ‘experts by experience’, it is hoped the new programme will offer greater benefits to people who may use Oxfordshire’s mental health services in the future.
The contract, which is due to start in April 2025, will support people to live well and independently for longer, focusing on a preventative approach where possible and building resilience and the choice of safe and effective care and support for individuals affected by poor mental health.
Rob Bale, Chief Operating Officer for Mental Health at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust which provides NHS mental health services in Oxfordshire, said: “We look forward to developing further our work with partners, and people with lived experience, across the county to develop services that are tailored to the needs of the citizens of Oxfordshire.”
Matthew Tait, Chief Delivery Officer at BOB ICB, said: “It’s great to have the backing of the county council. We will now continue to work with partners to develop the new contract which will bring significant benefits for the people of Oxfordshire.”
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