Agenda item - Better Care Fund (BCF) March 2026

Report of the Corporate Director, Health & Care and of NHS Sussex (copy attached).

39.1    The report was introduced by Chas Walker, Joint Programme Director Integrated Service Transformation, Brighton & Hove City Council and NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (Brighton & Hove). Mr Walker told the Board that Quarter 3 Better Care Fund (BCF) performance shows the local system is off track in delivering against the emergency admissions for people agreed 65+ and discharge delay targets, but on track in delivering against the residential admission target. Spending to date is in line with the BCF plan.

39.2    Guidance for the 2026-27 BCF Planning Framework has been issued. This effectively re-focuses the BCF to concentrate on neighbourhood health, with a particular emphasis on joint planning to better identify and support those with complex needs.

39.3    Ian Smith commented that the refocus of BCF on neighbourhood health is a positive. Going forward, it will be important to focus on developing more effective partnership working with the private sector including a better balance of risk and longer contracts. Discharge performance is a concern, but it should be noted that Sussex has robust processes in place.

39.4    RESOLVED – that the report be noted.