Birmingham City Council mulls "ground-breaking" partnership deal with NHS trusts

Birmingham City Council is considering entering into a legal agreement with the city’s three NHS Primary Care Trusts that would see them pool their £300m-plus learning disability and mental health services budget.

The council’s Cabinet will today (8 March) consider a report on entering into a s.75 agreement under the Health Act 2006. The four parties currently commission services separately, often from the same providers.

Under the plan Birmingham’s Adults and Communities Directorate will lead on commissioning of learning disability services, while NHS Birmingham East and North will head up the commissioning of mental health services.

In a statement, the council said the arrangements would help in the move towards greater personalisation of care, and in a drive to develop more supported living and home based support.

The four bodies hope to reduce the current spend on residential care in the learning disability field from 55% to 40% over the next three years.

Councillor Sue Anderson, Birmingham’s cabinet member for Adults and Communities, said the s.75 agreement was “a step-change in partnership working in Birmingham”.

She added: “We will make the public pound stretch further by working together across agencies, as well as helping people with disabilities and mental health illness to take more control of their own lives.

“Breaking down barriers between organisations means we eliminate duplication and bureaucracy, and can re-direct resources to the vital frontline services which help people with learning disabilities and mental ill health live happier and more fulfilled lives in Birmingham.”