Agenda item - Better Care Fund End of Year Report 2023-24 and Refresh of Plans for 2024-25

Report of the Executive Director, Health & Adult Social Care, and the NHS Sussex Director for Joint Commissioning and Integrated community Teams, Brighton & Hove (copy attached).

44.1    This item was introduced by Tanya Brown-Griffith, NHS Sussex, and by Steve Hook, BHCC. Ms Brown-Griffith outlined the purpose of the Better Care Fund (BCF), explained where funding was focused locally, and informed members of performance against targets.

44.2    Cllr Burden asked why the BCF target on reablement had not been met. Steve Hook responded that collecting accurate data on reablement is challenging. However, we do know that reablement services have good outcomes, particularly in terms of post hospital discharge.

44.3    Stephen Lightfoot noted that the city council and NHS services work really closely together in Brighton & Hove to deliver BCF priorities, with particular effective work supporting high intensity service users and on social prescribing. It would be helpful to develop some local BCF success measures and for these to be regularly reported to the Board. There is a significant NHS investment in BCF and it is important that this provides value for money. Local success measures should include, but not be solely focused on hospital discharge. Mr Hook supported the idea of developing local success measures, and the Chair agreed that the Board would schedule regular BCF reports.

44.4    Cllr Grimshaw asked a question about residential care admissions. Mr Hook responded that the ultimate target is to reduce long term admissions to residential care. The number of long term beds commissioned has been reduced and the management of extra care beds has been moved from Housing to adult social care.

44.5    Tom Lambert asked a question about the involvement of the community sector in BCF. Ms Brown-Griffith replied that the sector will be fully involved in the co-production of this year’s planning.

44.6    RESOLVED - that the Board:

·         Notes performance against the Better Care Fund plan for 2023-24

·         Notes the Better Care Fund requirements for 2024-25.

·         Approves the revised Brighton & Hove Better Care Fund Plan for 2024-25 recognising these represent a refresh of the 2023-25 plans approved by the Board in July 2023.

·         Agress a recommendation that the Better Care Fund is reported to the Board every six months