Agenda item

The Board received a report seeking approval to the Better Care Fund submission for Gateshead (2017-19)

The Gateshead BCF submission for 2017-19 has been developed working closely with colleagues at Newcastle Gateshead CCG. Engagement has also taken place with Gateshead Health NHS FT and Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS FT. The submission timeline also provided for consideration by the Gateshead Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Advisory Group.

The submission is in two parts:

·         A Narrative Plan that addresses the key requirements of national planning guidance

·         A supporting Planning Template which sets out further details on metrics, proposed expenditure and national conditions

The key thread which runs through the Gateshead submission is that the BCF forms part of a broader picture in working towards the integration of health and social care services for the benefit of local people and therefore should not be seen in isolation. The submission for 2017-19 references work to develop an out of hospital model for Gateshead (People, Communities & Care):

·         Building upon the 2016/17 submission, the BCF will transition into the Gateshead People, Communities & Care (PCC) model.

·         Work programmes/schemes funded through BCF will naturally ‘mitigate’ to the ‘care and support’ component of our PCC model (and more specifically the ‘intermediate care’ component).

·         Work is also underway to consider a system ‘outcomes framework’ for our PCC model.

As in previous years, there is a requirement that BCF monies are transferred into one or more pooled funds. It is intended to continue with current arrangements which will be governed by a Section 75 agreement.

The Board were advised that previously, the BCF plan has included 11 core schemes but as these go back to 2014/15 it is now intended to group these under five broad areas which better reflect current arrangements and current priorities:

·         Service Transformation

·         Market Shaping and Stabilisation

·         Managing discharges and admission avoidance

·         Planned care

·         Service pressures

In addition, there is also specific provision for:

·         Disabled Facilities Grant

·         Carers

The delivery of the plan will be governed by a Section 75 agreement which will set out respective responsibilities of the Council and CCG. Delivery will be overseen by the BCF Programme Board, including senior officers from the council and CCG. Updates will also be reported regularly to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The Board welcomed the report but wished to place upon record that whilst it remains committed to reducing the numbers of delayed transfers of care, the targets set are very ambitious and there are concerns regarding the potential for Improved BCF monies to be withdrawn if targets are not achieved. These ambitious targets come on the back of recognised significant pressures within the social care system, and the risk of withdrawal of monies from the Improved BCF creates a further uncertainty within the system. However, as a sector we remain focused that our efforts are concentrated towards the joint activity of ensuring timely discharge. The Board asked for a form of words to be drawn up and included within the final submission to NHS England to express its concerns.