Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): A new era in partnership working between the Third Sector and the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has recently been signed, reflecting shared ambitions for improving health outcomes and a commitment to working together to deliver the UHB’s ten year strategy Shaping Our Future Wellbeing.
The UHB Framework for Working with the Third Sector and the supporting arrangements of an annual Action Plan and Steering Group, set up in 2012, have played a key role in establishing a strong relationship between the UHB and local third sector. They have supported a joined up approach to the delivery of Shaping Our Future Wellbeing and have embedded a collaborative partnership approach into the way we work together strategically and operationally.
The mechanisms for continuing those strong relationships now need to change to reflect the ‘new’ partnership arena established via key pieces of legislation and Welsh Government policy. In particular, this includes the roles of the Regional Partnership Board and the Public Services Boards, and the opportunities offered by the shared commitment to the wider transformation and locality agenda.
A MOU has therefore been developed to reflect this new environment, replacing the Framework for Working with the Third Sector; it provides a written statement of our joint commitments and intentions. The Third Sector is represented in this context by C3SC and Glamorgan Voluntary Services as the local County Voluntary Councils. The Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Networks in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan were invited to comment on a draft, prior to the signing of the final MOU. The MOU will be reviewed annually.
