Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview of the Quarter 3 Report of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025-26.

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 maintaining a strong and sustainable health and care system.

The report is a part of the requirements set by the Better Care Fund 2025-26 Policy Framework. The report must be jointly agreed and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board as one of the planning requirements.

The Commissioning Manager and Senior Lead – Operations, NHS Dorset, presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided an overview of the Quarter 3 Report of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025-26.

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 maintaining a strong and sustainable health and care system.

The report was a part of the requirements set by the Better Care Fund 2025-26 Policy Framework. The report must be jointly agreed and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board as one of the planning requirements.

The Board discussed the report, including:

·       Concerns were raised that, despite metrics showing activity ‘on track’, system pressures remained high, particularly around non-criteria-to-reside and people being in the wrong place in the system.

·       A reset conversation was suggested to increase impact and ensure people were placed appropriately within the system.

·       Discharge delays were acknowledged as not on track; enhanced caseload management, escalation pathways, and commissioning actions were highlighted as mitigation.

·       Questions were raised regarding future local authority funding, including the freeze to the local authority element and possible absorption into the Revenue Support Grant.

·       Concerns were raised about potential pressure on the Better Care Grant element if funding were absorbed into a broader formula and it was noted that the Council was waiting for clarification from government on future funding arrangements.

RESOLVED that the Health and Wellbeing Board retrospectively approve the Better Care Fund 2025-2026 Quarter 3 Report

Voting: Nem. Con.