AGREEMENTS have been struck between the NHS and Trafford Council to improve mental health services and care for vulnerable adults across the borough.

One Section 75 partnership agreement has been signed between the local authority and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMHFT), and another is due to be signed off between the council and Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Both agreements are aiming to pave the way to better, more streamlined care for residents.

The arrangement for mental health provision in the borough is an update on the current agreement between GMMHFT and Trafford Council.

The deal between the council and the CCG for streamlining adult social care is also an updated one and is due to be signed off at Trafford Council’s executive meeting on Monday.

It solidifies the adult social care in Trafford under one management system, continues to simplify and improve services in the borough and allows the use of council funding by the CCG and vice versa from a collective funding pot.

The value of that collective funding pot for 2020 to 2021 was worth almost £40 million. The exact values for this year are set to be higher than this, but are still to be confirmed.

Cllr Jo Harding, Executive Member for Adult Services, said: “The importance of good mental health is finally being recognised and this agreement makes sure the systems are in place to make sure people can get the right treatment at the right time.

“For the council, a major priority is enabling people to live as independently as possible. This agreement is a key part of delivering on that priority.”

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Claire Fraser, head of operations for Trafford Mental Health Services at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have welcomed this opportunity to review and renew our partnership with Trafford residents.

“In Trafford there has been and continues to be an unwavering commitment to improve our collective approach to neighbourhood and partnership working, building on some of the excellent work that already exists.

“It has been a constant discussion point for years and some amazing progress has been made in terms of integrated and multi-disciplinary neighbourhood teams and this commitment to Trafford residents ensures mental health care and wellbeing is connected to the wider health and social care system.

“It is essential that people received coordinated support for their physical and mental health as well as their wider social needs.”

The agreement will also be a key part of the transformation programme in mental health in Trafford.

The new strategy is about helping people to look after themselves, early intervention to prevent poor mental health getting worse, and ensuring people get the right help at the right time.

It also gives more of a say to the person, so they are able to define their own mental health needs, alongside their family and mental health professionals. A cross-agency approach is also emphasised so that consistent quality care is provided.

Staffing and service delivery arrangements will remain integrated under the updated agreement, although the financial responsibilities for health and social care remain separate.