Councillor Tracey Stock appointed Chair Designate of new Integrated Care Partnership

Councillor Tracey Stock has been appointed Chair Designate for the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Partnership, which will be established on 1 July 2022.

Ward Councillor for Sandy, Beeston and Blunham, Councillor Stock has served on Central Bedfordshire Council since 2015 and is the Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Communities.  She chairs the Health and Wellbeing Board, working with local agencies, including the NHS, to improve health and care services for residents in Central Bedfordshire.

Speaking about her appointment, Councillor Tracey Stock, said:

“I’m pleased to have been appointed Chair Designate of the Integrated Care Partnership. I look forward to working with all partners across health and local authorities to make a real difference to our population’s health across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

“There are many different strands involved in the Integrated Care Partnership, which will transform how health services are commissioned and delivered. Working collaboratively with our communities to focus on improving health and wellbeing for all our residents brings an opportunity to make a real change.”

Councillor Stock’s appointment comes as the NHS, local councils and community groups in the area formalise their strong history of partnership working across health and social care.

The formation of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership will see local organisations working together to set health strategy and make sure the one million people who live in the area receive the care they need in the most efficient, effective, and joined up way.

Dr Rima Makarem, Chair Designate for the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, which will be the statutory Board of the Integrated Care System and will take responsibility for delivering health and care services in the area from 1 July 2022 said:

“I am delighted that Councillor Tracey Stock has been appointed Chair Designate of the Integrated Care Partnership. Alongside her extensive experience of working as an elected member of the Council in Central Bedfordshire, Councillor Stock has been a real champion for health and wellbeing locally, putting the views of citizens and their health needs first.

“The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership will set the strategy for health and care in our area and make sure that local people have a key role in the design of the services we need now and in the future.”

The Integrated Care Partnership will be established on 1 July 2022 and will run alongside the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board and place-based partnerships for Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Luton.