Issue - meetings

The report provides an update on the Community Services Transformation Programme and sets out a number of recommendations.

Cllr Alison Born introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation, and made the following statement:

“This paper provides an update on the programme of work that has resulted from the decision taken by Cabinet and also by the B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Integrated Care Board (ICB) in May 2022 not to extend the HCRG Care Group contract for integrated community health and care services beyond March 2024.

The work is divided into three programmes:

1. Future provision of adult social care services and services delivered by sub-contractors – led by B&NES Council
2. Future provision of the public health services that are currently included in the HCRG Care Group contract – led by Public Health
3. Future provision of community children’s and adults’ health and care services (excluding adult social care) that are currently included in the HCRG Care Group contract – led by the ICB

Programme One

In November 2022, Cabinet took the decision to bring adult social care services back in house to be run by B&NES Council from April 2024. This decision was not taken lightly, we were aware that the health and care landscape had changed considerably since the contract was let and that the flat cash nature of the agreement would present immediate challenges.

The financial pressures in the contract are compounded by the costs associated with significant contractual change and provision has been made for this within our budgets. However, that provision is short term, and the adult social care model must be cost neutral from 2025/26. This will be addressed through a re-design process during 2024/25 which is necessary to ensure that our services can respond to current needs and are financially sustainable.

The programme relating to adult social care is well established and well led. There is a meaningful staff engagement programme and active communication with community partners. We are very grateful to the staff working in community services for their continued hard work and dedication through this period of change. A recent audit of the Adult Social Care transfer programme has provided a high level of assurance and we can be confident of a successful transfer for the start date on 1^st April 2024 with continuity of care provision.

Programmes Two and Three

Due to the impact of NHS reorganisation in 2022, the ICB started work on the community health services programme (programme 3) several months later than the local authority. As public health services (programme 2) are linked closely to community health services, a decision taken by the ICB (and endorsed by the lead member) to delay the start date for the new community services contract until 2025 has had an impact on the timescale for workstreams 2 and 3.

A procurement process, based on competitive dialogue is now underway for programme 3 with the expectation of contract award in the summer of 2024 with contract commencement in April 2025. This change to the procurement timescale, requires the ICB to issue new one-year contracts to existing community service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41