Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview of the Quarter 3 Report of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2024-25.

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.

The report is a part of the requirements set by the Better Care Fund 2023-25 Policy Framework. The report needs to be jointly agreed and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board as one of the planning requirements.

The Director of Adult Social Care Commissioning and theCommissioning Manager 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 Quarter 3 Report of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2024-25.  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.

The report was part of the requirements set by the Better Care Fund 2023-25 Policy Framework. The report needed to be jointly agreed and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board as one of the planning requirements.

NHS England (NHSE) required the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) to approve all BCF plans, this was one of the national conditions within the Policy Framework. This included planning documents at the beginning of a funding period, and template returns reporting progress against the plans quarterly.

The Director of Adult Social Care provided some further information regarding the FutureCare Programme, the change in the framework from sickness to prevention, the minimum uplift of 1.7% and the challenges that presented and the funding from the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and how it would be used to enhance capacity for families and individuals who required it.

The Board discussed the report and presentation, including:

• In response to a query from the Chair about the in-year funding provided from the DFG, the Board was advised that if projects had been identified before the end of the financial year, then the funding would not be lost.
• The Corporate Director of Wellbeing thanked Officers for the report and highlighted the important role of the Board as the governance for the BCF and to bring reports ahead of time as opposed to retrospectively.  She also welcomed the end of year report about what had been achieved including stories, impacts and successes.
• In response to a query about the Quarter 3 report and hospitalisation following falls, the Board was advised of the initiatives in place to improve in this area and how the FutureCare could help enhance this work. It was advised that this area could be focused on within the end of year report.
• There were some lengthy discussions around reducing falls and the positive impact that would have to residents and services.  It was noted that it was a priority for Adult Social Care and Health partners, and consideration was needed to ensure a joined-up approach to avoid duplication of work.  It was highlighted the appropriate forum for this to be considered further was the Urgent Emergency Care Board who would be able to consider potential mapping and any further governance.  A Board Member also advised they would take this to the Integrated Care Board for further consideration.
• A Board Member highlighted the potential of using the place-based partnership as a forum to consider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43