Greater Manchester health devolution focuses on 'prevention'

Greater Manchester Combined Authority currently manage £4.7bn of the £6bn health and social care budget

A public health agreement has been signed as part of the devolution of health and social care in Greater Manchester.

It was announced in February the area would become the first English region to get full control of its annual budget, which is £6bn.

The memorandum of understanding sets out priorities focussing on "prevention and early intervention".

They include combining the work of emergency services and health checks.

According to the agreement, there will be one team to oversee health and social care, currently run by the NHS and Greater Manchester's 10 councils.

The deal was signed by leaders from Public Health England, the NHS and local authorities at the first meeting of Greater Manchester's new System Prevention and Early Intervention Board.

'Less demand'

Councillor Cliff Morris, who leads health for Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said: "We are now able to have local control over local needs while working with our national colleagues in public health and NHS England."

Steven Pleasant, regional chief executive for public health, said: "We know that if we can help people to stay well there will ultimately be less demand on health services.

"This then keeps the health service sustainable while keeping people in work and gaining skills for the region."

The region's authorities currently manage £4.7bn health and social care allocation after the first phase of the devolution transfer.

The deal means full power and the remaining £1.3bn will be devolved by April 2016.