New health and care Integrated Care Partnership appoints Wiltshire Council Leader as Chair

The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Partnership (BSW ICP) has appointed Richard Clewer, the leader of Wiltshire Council, as its Chair.

The BSW ICP is a statutory committee formed by the Bath and North East Somerset Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB), which became a legal entity on 1 July, and local authorities in the BSW area.

The BSW ICP brings together the NHS, local government, the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and other partners to focus on prevention, wider social and economic factors affecting people’s health and reducing health inequalities.

It will develop an Integrated Care Strategy for local health and care services and advocate for innovation, new approaches and improvement to the way services are provided and run.

It will also make sure that local people have a key role in the design of the services they need now and in the future.

The appointment marks a significant step forwards for the development of the ICP as a forum to bring together a wide range of partners and organisations who each contribute their respective expertise and use their influence to develop a vision and strategy for health, care and wellbeing in Bath and North east Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

Richard Clewer has been leader of Wiltshire Council since 2021. He is also Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Military Civilian Integration, Economic Development, Heritage, Arts, Tourism and Health and Wellbeing.

Stephanie Elsy, Chair of the BSW ICB and Deputy Chair of the new ICP said:

“We are delighted that Richard Clewer has been appointed as Chair of our newly formed Integrated Care Partnership.

Councillor Clewer has a strong interest in health and wellbeing and has been involved in important council work in areas including housing, economic development and climate change. His insight into these areas will be crucial as we work together to improve outcomes in population health, provide better joined-up care and reduce health inequalities in our local populations.

Richard’s position as leader of Wiltshire Council also demonstrates that the BSW ICP is more than an organisation drawn from NHS bodies, and is truly a partnership with a broad representation of organisations concerned with the health and wellbeing of local people.”

Richard Clewer, Chair of the BSW ICP said:

“The work of the BSW Integrated Care System is going to be vital in the provision of health care, tackling of inequalities and transformation of adult social care as government reforms come into place. 

Both councils and the NHS are facing serious challenges in the years ahead and we need to work closely together, particularly around the prevention of illness and health and wellbeing.

I am delighted to be taking up this post to help ensure that the hospitals, councils, GP services and other health care services involved forge a close working relationship based on a clear understanding of the health needs of our residents.”