The time has come for the voluntary sector to play an enhanced role in shaping local healthcare services.

Working together, Hywel Dda Health Board and County Voluntary Councils in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, have launched a new concept of 'co-production'.

It means the two sectors are taking a fully joined-up approach, from the earliest of stages, in the design and delivery of future healthcare and support services.

Voluntary sector leaders welcome this approach and believe it will have a hugely positive impact on the services patients receive.

Chief officer for Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services Sue Leonard said: "This is a huge opportunity for the voluntary sector and one that we have earned over recent years. There has been a great deal of work to build relationships since the introduction of Building Strong Bridges by the Welsh Assembly Government and this new approach is the fruition of all that hard work."

Leaders also agreed that the voluntary sector across the three counties has already contributed a great deal locally.

The voluntary sector works across a range of health care provision - from home-to-hospital schemes and home adaptations to befriending and carer support services, amongst others.

Chief executive of Hywel Dda Health Board Trevor Purt said: "This is about a continuous conversation and relationship with the voluntary sector that involves them fully from the design of services right through to delivery.

"The impact the sector can have on adding value to health improvement and healthcare should not be under-estimated and we are excited about building future opportunities in the area."

The voluntary sector will now work with Hywel Dda Health Board on designing a vision and plan for ongoing development of the voluntary sectors role in healthcare as part of continuous engagement on the five-year framework - The Right Care, in the Right Place, at the Right Time...Every Time.

Local county events and workstreams are being set-up to ensure voluntary sector representatives across the area have every opportunity to get involved and events are being held as follows: Changing Times: Changing Together - the conversation continues - Pembrokeshire Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Network, Wednesday, October 13, 10 am - 1 pm, Rudbaxton Community Hall, Crundale. Contact Michelle Copeman at PAVS on 01437 769422.