Last Modified May 08, 2013
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 requires Hertfordshire County Council and its partners to engage with emerging Clinical Commissioning Groups and consider how to successfully transfer public health functions to the County Council.
National health reforms will see responsibility for health commissioning pass from Primary Care Trusts to new Clinical Commissioning Groups and county councils in line with the Government’s localism agenda.
As part of these reforms the Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board was convened in shadow form in July 2011. The board has developed a Health and Wellbeing Strategy, currently in draft, which will be agreed in January and launched in April 2013.
Hertsmere Health and Wellbeing Partnership
The Health and Wellbeing Partnership is the formal representative body for Hertsmere Borough Council and the Local Strategic Partnership.
It is the first point of contact and consultee on matters under consideration by the County Health and Wellbeing Board, County Health Scrutiny Committee and NHS Hertfordshire, including reviewing proposed changes to local service provision and assessing the impact on the local community.
The Health and Wellbeing Partnership works together to develop and support initiatives to address the causes of ill health and to promote healthy and active lifestyles for all residents. Funding is available for community organisations to run activities which support people to stop smoking, increase physical activity, address mental health issues or promote sexual health. Find out how to apply.
Care for Older People
While Hertsmere Borough Council is not responsible for providing care services to older people we can help in certain ways and we work together with our partners (namely Hertfordshire County Council which is statutorily responsible for providing these services to those who qualify) to help residents access information.
If you need information about additional support and care in older age for you or a loved one e.g:
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aids and adaptations to your own home to help you move around more easily or do the things you are no longer able to do
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a couple of hours support from a care worker
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permanent care in a care home or a move to sheltered housing or a care village;
please see the county council's webpage on support for adults or contact them via email at hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk or call 0300 123 4040.
If you don't qualify for state support and are responsible for paying for your own care costs there is still help available. Hertfordshire County Council works with a not-for-profit organisation to make it easier to get information and advice on all aspects of long-term care. This includes:
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information on benefits people may be entitled to and how to claim them
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information on the different types of care that is available
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guidance on topics such as setting up a power of attorney or will
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access to specialist advice on the best way to fund your long-term care.
For more information or a free chat contact Paying For Care on 0808 208 9994.
Keep Warm Stay Well
In partnership with NHS Hertfordshire, the 10 district councils and the voluntary sector, Hertfordshire County Council will be doing its best to ensure that the vulnerable residents of our community (older/younger, those with a pre-existing medical condition, the homeless) are supported throughout the winter months and are made aware of the impact the cold can have on their health and the need to keep warm in their home.
If you are worried about someone in winter please call HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044 to find out what support is available.
Go Smokefree in Hertsmere
Your local Stop Smoking Service has been developed by experts and ex-smokers, and with their support you are up to four times more likely to quit than if you choose to go it alone. In fact nine out of 10 smokers who have used their local NHS Stop Smoking Service would recommend it.
For free, friendly, specialist advice about quitting, contact Hertfordshire Stop Smoking Service: