Oxfordshire County Council has committed £6.2m each year for the next 10 years to a pooled budget for mental health services.
The funding, which was approved by the council’s cabinet on 21 January, is part of plans to combine existing mental health service contracts.
Cllr 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 10-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, which is due to start in April 2025, 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.
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.’
This article was first published by Health Management.
