Realising the Value

NHS England has launched the Realising the Value Programme, a new initiative which will aim to empower people and communities to take more control of their health.

Through this initiative, NHS England will award a grant of up to £500,000 to a charity or not for profit organisation or consortium to identify evidence-based approaches to self-care. This programme will also support the commissioning and spread of such approaches, across local communities, and in the NHS, to empower people to take an active role in their health and care.

The Realising the value programme builds on the NHS Five Year Forward View, published in October, which sets out how the health service needs to change and argues for a more engaged relationship with patients, carers and citizens. It makes a specific commitment to do more to support people with long term conditions to manage their own health and care.

The Forward View signals the need to work with voluntary sector partners to create significant investment in evidence-based approaches such as group based education for people with specific conditions and self-management courses, as well as encouraging peer-to-peer support communities to emerge.

Interested organisations have until Friday 9 January 2015 to apply for money from the Realising the Value programme.

NHS England will be hosting and event on Monday 8 December, in London, where organsations can come and find out more about the programme and submitting an application. If you would like to attend contact Shamila Kafait by email at england.patientsincontrol@nhs.net or on 0113 825 1324.

For further information on Realising the Value, including how to apply, visit www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/patients/realising-value.