Issue - meetings

5 minutes

To receive an update on the Better Care Fund.

Judith Westcott (Senior Commissioning Manager, Community Health Care Services) and Lucy Lang (Commissioning Programme and Project Manager)  to update the Board.

Lucy Lang Commissioning Programme and Project Manager gave an update on the Better Care Fund as follows:

Funding 2023-2024:

·  Better Care Fund (including Improved Better Care Fund and DFG) £72,957,229

·  2023-24 Adult Social Care Discharge Fund (LA Allocation) £687,394

·  ICB Request for B&NES Funding (including the 2023-24 Adult Social Care Discharge Fund - ICB Allocation) £5,600,000

·  Market Sustainability Fund (not managed under BCF but included for reference) £1,700,000.

Changes since last report to HWB:

·  2023/2025 narrative plan as signed off by HWB approved by DHSC, pending formal notification.

·  Additional DFG funding of £102m nationally (split £50m/£52m over 23-25 announced).

·  £125,820 for B&NES in 23/24 although this will likely be offset by increasing cost of living pressures.

2023-2024 schemes & financial update

·  The BCF is supporting 15 schemes in 2023-24 (measured) and other non-measured commitments.

·  Total commitment = £75,074,272

·  YTD spend = £30,990,959

·  Spending to date is to plan.

Priorities:

·  Admissionavoidance and neighbourhood development focusing on the role of the community wellbeing hub and carer support and engagement.

·  Young people with learning disabilities, autism &/or mental health transitioning into adult care.

·  Provision of resource to support technology development in care linked to the neighbourhood teams strategy.

·  Contingency supporting transformation and re-contracting of community health and social care provision.

The Board RESOLVED to note the update.

KEY MESSAGES FROM THE MEETING

1.  There are a number of ways for residents to have their say about issues which concern them, or they are passionate about – this includes Area Forums, Your Health/Your Choice and numerous other public events and meetings are held each month – more information is available on the BANES website.

2.  The HWB considered the problem of disposable vapes and their environmental impact – the Board was keen that stricter regulation is put in place, but further discussion is needed about the potential for an outright ban; a broader campaign has been suggested highlighting the environmental dimension, and this is being considered by the team.

3.  Annual reports for Children and Younger People’s Services and Community Safety and Safeguarding were reviewed and approved – these are available to the public via the BANES website and demonstrate a huge number of successful activities and programmes, alongside some areas for further focus.

4.  Representatives from the Health Protection Board provided an update on performance last year and priorities for the year ahead – this report is also available on the BANES website.