Agenda item - Better Care Fund Programme Update

Introduction

27.1         The Board considered a report of the Better Care Interim Programme Manager, Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group and Brighton & Hove City Council.  The report explained that following amendments to national guidance for the Better Care plan, each area was required to update their submission by 19^th September 2014.  Officers were still finalising the plan due to the complexity and short timescales for return.  As a result, Board Members had information on an updated plan that was still in draft.   A final copy of the plan would be sent to members following the submission to NHS England on 19^th September.   Geraldine Hoban and Denise D’Souza presented the report.

27.2    Ms Hoban presented a slide which showed the programmes within the Better Care Fund and the outcomes expected in 2015/16.  The vision for the frail and vulnerable population was to help them stay healthy and well by providing more pro-active preventative services that promoted independence and enabled people to fulfil their potential.

27.3    Ms Hoban informed members that there was a pooled budget of £19,660 million in the year financial year 2015/16.  It would be necessary to have better management of long term conditions and 7 day working would need to be implemented.  The Better Care Fund Programme was an ongoing transformational work which was constantly changing. 

27.4    Denise D’Souza stated that the work would protect social care.  There was funding in the Care Act and Disabled Facility Grant.  She thanked staff who had worked hard to produce the work to date. 

Questions and Discussion

27.5         Matthew Kershaw informed the Board that the Better Care Fund Programme was a major issue for the acute trust.  It fitted in well with the strategy of BSUH and they were supportive of the programme.  However, Mr Kershaw stressed that it would be important not to destabilise one part of the service whilst improving another.  He stressed the importance of maintaining a dialogue with partners to mitigate risks. 

27.6         Councillor Theobald asked for an explanation of how seven day working would work in practice.  Geraldine Hoban explained that it was necessary to provide a better service over the weekend.  For example, the public should have access to equipment seven days a week.  If someone needed admission to a care home, then an assessment should be available at the weekend.  It did not mean that every service would be available seven days a week.  However, it would result in identifying critical services and when they were needed. 

27.7    Dr Christa Beesley stated that the Better Care Fund Programme was about people getting the right care, in the right place, in the right way.  The proposals were positive for people in the city. 

27.8    The Chair thanked officers for the progress report and stated that he appreciated all the hard work involved.

27.9    Resolved –

(1)  That the final draft of the updated Better Care Plan as attached at Appendix 1 and 2 of the report be approved.

(2) That delegated authority is given to the Executive Director, Adult Services, following consultation with the Chair and the CCG, to sign off the final Better Care Plan for submission by 19^th September 2014.