PLANS to improve integrated health and social care for patients in Worcestershire have been given national approval.

The Department of Health has announced its backing of a £37.2 million Better Care Fund to support integrated work.

The fund will be used locally to support people who are currently, or who are at risk for becoming, heavily dependent of health and adult social care services to live as independently as possible.

Worcestershire Health and Well-Being Board has determined the scale and scope of the fund in line with national conditions.

Three NHS clinical commissioning groups – NHS Wyre Forest, NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove, and NHS South Worcestershire – together with Worcestershire County Council, have been working with partners to develop a five year plan to support people to stay healthy, recover quickly following an illness and ensure that care and treatment is received in the most appropriate place.

County councillor Marcus Hart, chairman of Worcestershire's Health and Well-being Board, said: “This is good news for the people of Worcestershire and highlights the importance of integrated partnership working between the council and the three NHS clinical commissioning groups.

“The funding will also support our corporate Health and Well-being priority, which local people have told us is important to them.”