The Better Commissioning for Healthy Lives Symposium featured presentations from health and social care commissioners and service providers and discussed a wide range of innovative approaches that promote healthy lives, ranging from social proscribing for long-term conditions to the commissioning of “healthy” public spaces. There was ample discussion about the learning emerging from projects such as Ways to Wellness and the Mental Health Employment Partnership, and the challenges associated with developing robust outcome frameworks. Strong leadership, cultural change within commissioning bodies, and cross-sector partnership working were highlighted as important factors behind the success of outcome based approaches.
The timing of the event was intended to help local commissioners make informed choices about applying to the Life Chances Fund, a government fund managed by the Big Lottery Fund, that seeks to support outcomes based commissioning. For more information on making an application, please visit the Life Chances Fund website.
Nancy Hey, Chief Executive, What Works Centre
Professor Chris Drinkwater, Chair and Trustee Chair, Ways to Wellness
Nicola Bromage, Mental Health Commissioner, Stafford and Surrounds CCG
Rachel Toms, Insight & Standards Manager, Cities Programme, Design Council
Ellie Bragan Turner, Senior Health Outcomes Analyst, Outcomes Based Health