Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview of the planning document of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2026-27, as well as the 2025-26 End of Year Report.

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 documents are part of the requirements set by Better Care England and the Department of Health & Social Care. These documents need to be jointly agreed and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board as per 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 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided an overview of the planning document of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2026-27, as well as the 2025-26 End of Year Report.

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 documents were part of the requirements set by Better Care England and the Department of Health & Social Care. These documents needed to be jointly agreed and signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board as per the planning requirements.

The Board considered the report, and comments were made, including:

• Members noted that the report reflected activity across the full year and that more recent trends would be reported at a future meeting. 

• The Board noted that delivery of the Better Care Fund continued to support the wider ambition of developing neighbourhood health and neighbourhood health teams. 

• Members emphasised the significance of the Better Care Fund, noting that it represented around £80 million of investment in care and support services across the BCP area and had a direct impact on the lives of many residents. 

• Members expressed concern regarding the impact of a frozen funding settlement and the increasing costs of delivering services, including workforce and operational pressures. 

• Members discussed the future of Better Care Fund arrangements and noted the uncertainty surrounding future national funding reforms and potential changes to funding mechanisms. 

• Officers advised that no further information was currently available regarding future funding arrangements but highlighted the importance of the Better Care Fund in supporting jointly commissioned services and prevention-focused activity. 

• The Board noted that partners had sought to align programme delivery with emerging neighbourhood health priorities, including prevention, reablement and collaboration with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

• It was acknowledged that evidence of the impact and value of Better Care Fund investment would be important in supporting future funding discussions and demonstrating the benefits of integrated working across health and care services. 

• Members recognised that continuation of dedicated funding would be consistent with national ambitions around prevention, early intervention and delivering care in the most appropriate setting. 

RESOLVED that the Health and Wellbeing Board retrospectively approve the:

·       Better Care Fund 2026-27 Plan

·       Better Care Fund 2026-27 Narrative

·       Better Care Fund 2025-26 End of Year Report

Voting: Nem. Con.