A Strategic Agreement between the Department of Health, the NHS and the voluntary and community sector (VCS) will have the voluntary sector and charities playing a bigger role in delivering NHS and social services. This increasing role of the voluntary sector will increase the capacity, as well as provide a wider range of services to the patients, and those who require it.

The agreement, according to once British Health Secrertary John Reid, “makes it easier for the voluntary and community sector to provide services for the expanding NHS.”

A National Strategic Partnership Forum will put the best practice and innovation together, review how the Agreement is working, and how the barriers between the NHS and the VCS are being lowered. In addition, the Forum will also help disseminate the practice and innovation throughout the health services.

The Strategic Agreement is designed to make the partnership work at all levels.