A NEW social care system that will look to save St Helens Council £80 million by 2020 is set to launch later this year.

St Helens Cares aims to create a sustainable health, well-being and social care system by breaking down organisational boundaries to meet the needs of the people of St Helens.

To date,  collaborative partners have contributed £1.6 million in investment to drive the programme forward.

Speaking at St Helens Council’s People's Board meeting on Wednesday, Caroline Barlow, assistant director for adult social care, said the first iteration of St Helens Cares is on course for an October launch.

She said: “All of our main providers have signed up to the process so we’re all committed to the vision and aims of St Helens Cares.

“And we are hopeful the first iteration of that will actually be in place by October 2018.”

Cllr Marlene Quinn, cabinet member for adult social care and health, said the progress made to date was "nothing short of fantastic".

One of the key milestones so far is the development of a Shared Care Record, which will give professionals an overview of key information regarding patients, when appropriate consent has been obtained.

The solution, which is expected to cost in excess of £3 million over the next five years, is functional and integrates with the existing health and social care system.

It is proposed that the costs of the system are split three ways between St Helens Council, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and St Helens Clinical Care Commissioning Group.

The local authority will fund the costs up-front and a repayment schedule will be agreed with the CCG and the Acute Trust.

Cllr Quinn said: “As we move forward now with the Shared Care Record, the opportunity and the advantage to our public that that is going to give in immense, it’s really immense.

“And I think all public sector organisations sat round here and our social housing provider, should be congratulated on working together in the spirit of our community.

“Some of you might not be from St Helens but your commitment is to our community, so I personally would like to say thank you for that.

“There is still a long way to go, there’s still a lot of budget savings to get through, to try and manage, but if we work together I’m sure we’ll achieve it.”

Last month, it was announced that professor Sarah O'Brien had been appointed as the strategic director of people's services in addition to holding the role of clinical accountable officer for St Helens CCG.

The creation of the joint role will enable the further integration of the council and the CCG in St Helens.