Agenda item

To consider a report on the Joint Strategy for Carers of All Aged in Cheshire East 2016-2018

Consideration was given to a report relating to a Joint Strategy for Carers of All Aged in Cheshire East for 2016 to 2018. Cheshire East Council had worked in partnership with carers, Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group and South Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group to develop a new two year strategy for carers. An evaluation of the previous strategy (2011-2015) had shown that some progress had been made to improve the health and well-being of carers in Cheshire East. A number of engagement events had been held over the previous two years to understand the stated needs of carers and review opportunities to meet those needs.

The publication of the 2014 Care Act had outlined specific changes to the offer of support for carers and the impact of these changes had been assessed and included in the Strategy. There were five priority areas outlined in the new Strategy, informed by carers and a delivery plan with detailed actions, timescales and clear lines of both organisational and individual officer accountabilities had been included for each area. An outcomes framework, with measures of success had been developed alongside the implementation plan and would be used to monitor progress. It was noted that this would be reported to the Board via the Joint Commissioning Leadership Team. The Board was asked to agree the Strategy for 2016-18.

Thanks were expressed to all those who had worked on the Strategy. It was noted that there had been a focus on experientialoutcomes and that consideration needed to be given to the inclusion of measurable outcomes and bench marking evidence from carers.

It was noted that the table at para 5.13 of the report needed to include the financial plan for South Cheshire CCG, in addition to Eastern Cheshire CCG and that the total for carer breaks was a shared total for both CCGs. This would be included in the published document.

It was requested that additional information be included with regard to how the integrated teams worked with GPs to support carers. It was noted that co-production would be essential, in order to meet caring needs and that the inclusion of qualitative and quantitative information was important in order to measure this. The document would be updated to include the comments made and the Strategy would be given further consideration at a future informal meeting of the Board. An update report would be submitted to a future formal meeting of the Board.

        RESOLVED

1.    That the strategy for 2016-18 be agreed, in that it aligns to the Caring Together and Connecting Care vision and transformation agenda and as such is a key priority for Cheshire East Council, South Cheshire and Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Groups.

2.    That it be noted that the Strategy has been endorsed by Eastern Cheshire CCG, but is yet to be endorsed by South Cheshire CCG.

3.    That the proposal to manage the implementation action plan and resource requirements via the partnership Executive Teams be approved.

4.    That the proposal to monitor progress of delivering this strategy via the Joint Commissioning Leadership Team and report as required to the Health and Well Being Board be endorsed.

5.    That the Strategy be updated to include the comments made by the HWB and that further consideration be given to the Strategy at future informal meeting of the Board.

6.    That an update report be submitted to a future formal meeting of the Board.