The Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership Board met on Friday 25 September 2026 to discuss the future of independent patient and public voice services, an update on the Northern Care Alliance's improvement journey, and the development of neighbourhood health initiatives. Key decisions included noting the progress on the Northern Care Alliance's improvement plan and agreeing to explore options for maintaining continuity of independent patient and public voice functions during a period of national uncertainty.

Northern Care Alliance Update

The Board received an update on the ongoing improvement journey at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust^[1]^. Sheena McDonnell, Chair of the Trust Board, and Scott McLean, Regional Director of Delivery and Transformation at NHS England Northwest, provided assurance on the commitment to providing safe, high-quality care. They acknowledged public concern regarding services, particularly in light of a recent Channel 4 investigation, and detailed the organizational changes and leadership transition underway, including the appointment of an interim chief executive, Kevin McGee.

McDonnell stated that the Trust is absolutely committed to providing that safe high quality care and that patient safety quality and experience is absolutely our priority. She highlighted the development of an integrated improvement plan, overseen by a system improvement board involving NHS England and other regulators. Scott McLean confirmed that NHS England views this as a collaborative effort to improve the sustainability and quality of services, noting that the Northern Care Alliance has undertakings on its provider licence for quality.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, representing Bury, raised concerns about leadership accountability, the communication of the interim chief executive appointment, and the link between the new clinical leadership model and improved safety. He also specifically questioned the handling of corridor care and its impact on patients, as well as staff voice and experience. McDonnell responded that the interim chief executive announcement was communicated simultaneously to all stakeholders and apologised if the timing felt misaligned. She confirmed that independent reviews into specific services are underway and that the clinical leadership model aims to minimise variation and maximise learning. Regarding corridor care, she acknowledged it as a national issue but stated the Trust is making progress towards ending it, with requirements from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) having been lifted following reconfiguration of wards. She also addressed staff voice, noting efforts to improve engagement and dialogue.

Councillor Jane Warburton, representing UNISON, inquired about the freedom to speak up process and the involvement of trade unions. McDonnell confirmed that the freedom to speak up guardian system has been strengthened and that efforts are being made to improve the relationship with union colleagues.

Independent Patient & Public Voice Service - Draft Model for GM

The Board discussed the draft model for an Independent Patient & Public Voice Service (IPPVS) across Greater Manchester, presented by Ruth Passman, Chair of Healthwatch Bury, and Charlotte Bailey, Chief Officer for Strategy, People and Partnerships at NHS GM. The report, The Future of Independent Patient & Public Voice in Greater Manchester, highlights the critical role of independent patient and public voice organisations and the risks associated with the proposed abolition of Healthwatch under the NHS Modernisation Bill.

Ruth Passman emphasised that an independent, confidential and trusted patient and public voice system is not a nice-to-have. It's seen as an essential function for a healthy system. She highlighted findings that only one in five residents are confident that a concern raised directly with the NHS or a council would be handled fairly, and that 72% of residents want support from someone independent. The report proposes a hybrid model, combining locally rooted delivery in each of the ten boroughs with a light-touch GM coordination function. Passman urged the Board to acknowledge the urgency and formally recognise the immediate risk of losing parts of the existing health watch infrastructure and to provide the leadership to commit to urgent action, including lobbying national government and exploring transitional funding arrangements.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq expressed his passion for the issue, having previously managed a Healthwatch organisation, and suggested a direct ask to Number 10 North for a summit to push the government for clarity on their position. Councillor Jane Warburton supported lobbying and exploring local funding solutions to protect core functions and staff expertise during the period of uncertainty. Councillor Sean Fielding and Councillor Daalat Ali echoed concerns about a potential gap in patient voice and the loss of expertise if services were to end abruptly.

The Board acknowledged the importance of this issue and agreed to support lobbying national government and exploring transitional funding arrangements. GM Mayor Bev Craig indicated her willingness to write to the Secretary of State on behalf of the Board.

Neighbourhood Health Update

Charlotte Bailey, Chief Strategy, People and Partnerships Officer at NHS GM, presented an update on Neighbourhood Health, a key component of the Live Well ambition for public service reform in Greater Manchester. The update outlined progress in shifting towards preventative and proactive care delivered through neighbourhoods, aligning with NHS England's Neighbourhood Health Framework.

Bailey explained that Neighbourhood Health is the principal vehicle to take that forward and that Live Well is that reform model that gives us the framework to do that within. She highlighted the approval of the Strategic Commissioning Plan and the Framework for Neighbourhood Health, which sets out expectations for good neighbourhood health across all ten boroughs. Engagement with partners revealed strong support for the model but also a need for clearer articulation of roles, responsibilities, and accountability. The importance of leadership, culture, and relationships, as well as a stronger role for the voluntary, community, faith, and independence sector, were also emphasised.

The self-assessment against the national Neighbourhood Health Framework indicated that Greater Manchester is at a strong level of development readiness. Work is underway to develop a demand flow and impact framework for neighbourhoods, supported by locality data packs and interactive dashboards. Neighbourhood Health Plans are being finalised by place leaders in each of the ten localities, with a focus on integrated neighbourhood teams, prevention, tackling inequalities, and community-led approaches. The update also detailed NHS service transformation programmes supporting this shift, including population health management through general practice and elective care transformation.

Councillor Jane Warburton raised a point about strengthening the VCFSE sector and ensuring proper support through Locality Boards and Health and Wellbeing Boards. Mayor Bev Craig sought clarity on what aspects of the proposed Neighbourhood Health approach are new and how they aim to bring all areas up to an equal standard. She also questioned the metrics used and whether they adequately capture broader determinants of health.

NHS GM Integrated Care Partnership Strategy Meeting Update

The Board noted the update on the ICPB Strategy Meetings held in June and September 2026. The meetings focused on system reform and governance developments, future patient and public voice arrangements, the GM Adult Social Care Commission, and the continued development of place health and care partnerships. Key themes included the ongoing pace of change across the health and care system, the importance of maintaining a strategic forum for challenge and collective leadership, and the need to engage with national policy developments. The uncertainty facing local Healthwatch organisations and the importance of preserving an effective and independent patient and public voice function were also discussed.