Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview of the content of the Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2023-25.

The BCF is a key delivery vehicle in providing person centred integrated care with health, social care, housing and other public services, which is fundamental to having a strong and sustainable health and care system.

National planning guidance was released in April 2023 advising that plans needed to be completed and submitted for national assurance by NHS England by 28^th June 2023. The plan needs to be jointly agreed and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board as one of the planning requirements and so the draft planning document has been submitted to meet the deadline but is pending Board approval.

The Interim Corporate Director for Wellbeing presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided an overview of the content of the Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2023-25.

The BCF was a key delivery vehicle in providing person centred integrated care with health, social care, housing and other public services, which was fundamental to having a strong and sustainable health and care system.

National planning guidance was released in April 2023 advising that plans needed to be completed and submitted for national assurance by NHS England by 28^th June 2023. The plan needed to be jointly agreed and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board as one of the planning requirements and so the draft planning document had been submitted to meet the deadline but was pending Board approval.

The Board discussed the report and comments were made:

• In response to a concern regarding the disabled facilities grant and the length of time it took for adaptions in people’s homes to be implemented, the Board was advised that the process could take up to two years, and a good challenge would be to consider how the contributing services could streamline and accelerate the process. ACTION.
• In response to a query regarding the BCF Key Delivery plans and how it could be measured, the Board was advised of the CQC Assurance process which required the service to consider how it could capture service users journey and how learnings could be used to improve services.
• The Healthwatch Manager advised there was a real opportunity to capture an entire story from the start of a user’s journey and she would discuss it with Officers to progress this. ACTION
• There was some further discussion around how the impacts could be measured through data captured from all partners and how that information could be displayed and shared.
• It was highlighted that the BCF detailed a two-year plan which enabled more scope and a good opportunity to reflect and grow.
• The NHS Dorset representative advised of the opportunities around place-based partnerships and the requirements and opportunities that would bring, including the transformation and improvement of health and wellbeing for BCP residents.

The Chair summarised the key areas discussed, and it was agreed that a mid-year progress report be provided to the Board.  ACTION. 

The Chair concluded by requesting the Boards thanks be passed to the staff involved in pulling together the plan. ACTION.

RESOLVED that the Health and Wellbeing Board approve the Better Care Fund Plan for 23-25 taking into account the investment and delivery plans as outlined in this report.

Voting:  For - Unanimous.