Health partners work together to enable integration across agencies, sharing of good practice across Wolverhampton and the Black Country with joined-up work and shared responsibility to achieve positive health and wellbeing outcomes.
Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB)
On the 1st July 2022 Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group ceased and became Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB). The ICB is a statutory body that is responsible for the planning and funding of the NHS services within Wolverhampton. The ICB looks after all aspects of the healthcare, including care you receive in hospital, maternity services, community, and mental health services.
The ICB forms part of an integrated care system (ICS) known as healthier futures. This brings together providers and commissioners of NHS services, as well as the local authority and other partners to plan and deliver joined up services.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT)
RWT are an acute and community provider covering the West Midlands area, providing services at New Cross, West Park Hospital, Community sites and Cannock chase hospital.
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Is the provider for mental health and learning disability in the Black Country. They are commissioned to deliver services such as, specialist learning disability services, mental health services for children and young people, adult mental health services.
Role of the Designated Medical Officer
The Designated Medical Officer (DMO) provides the point of contact for Wolverhampton Council, schools and colleges seeking health advice on children and young people who may have SEND and provides a contact for CCGs or health providers so that appropriate notification can be given to the local authority of children under compulsory school age who they think may have SEND.
The DMO supports the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) in meeting its statutory responsibilities for children and young people with SEND, primarily by providing a point of contact for local partners, when notifying parents and local authorities about children and young people they believe have, or may have, SEND, and when seeking advice on SEND.
Role of the Designated Clinical Officer
The Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) plays a key role in ensuring that health services are fully engaged and meeting their requirements around SEND and legislation across Wolverhampton, supporting joined up working between health services, local authorities, and other SEND partners. The role provides scrutiny and assurance around health services in meeting their statutory duties. The DCO provides a point of contact for local authorities, schools and colleges seeking health information or queries regarding health provision for children and young people with SEND.