Agenda item

To endorse the Delivering Better Care in Cheshire East 2017-19 Plan.

Consideration was given to a report which had been submitted to the Board as a follow-up to the ‘virtual Health and Wellbeing Board’ exercise, which had been carried out during August 2017.

It was reported that, following a lengthy delay, NHS England had published the final guidance for Integration and Better Care Fund planning requirements for 2017-19, in July 2017. With this guidance was the requirement for each locality to author an updated Narrative Plan, with an associated annual financial plan, to provide a refreshed view of local plans to deliver Better Care between 2017-19. NHS England had provided a fixed deadline of 11^th September 2017 to both prepare and present the Narrative Plans locally to Health and Wellbeing Boards, which for Cheshire East had meant that a ‘virtual Health and Wellbeing Board’ process was followed in order for the plan to receive the required sign-off by the Leader, prior to submission to NHS England. Details of the timeline and process which had been followed was attached at Appendix 1 of the report. The 2017-19 plan set out in detail a comprehensive overview of all the schemes funded by both the Improved Better Care Fund, which represented the new social care fund and the core Better Care Fund. These funding streams must work together in an integrated way to reduce non-elective admissions, improve delayed transfers of care, reduce admissions to residential and nursing care and improve the effectiveness of reablement. In addition to this, schemes must also focus on improving self-care and early intervention where possible, to support  residents to be able to be able to manage their conditions and health needs. The plan also set the ambitious plan to integrate carer’s services in Cheshire East, as part of an Integrated Carers Hub.

Thanks were expressed to all those who had worked to get the Plan submitted by the required deadline.

In considering the report members of the Board asked a number of questions and made a number of comments, as follows:-

      I.          Whilst the recommendations were welcomed, it was felt that there should be more information about the holistic approach to reablement and reassurance was sought that that residents would get reablement services. This reassurance was provided.

    II.          The collaborative working between partners was welcomed and it was felt that that closer working together was a positive place to start.

  III.          Reference was made to the challenge to reduce delayed transfers of care and it was suggested that the Board should have an aspiration for there to be none.

  IV.          Mike Larking, from the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, referred to the Safe and Well Initiative, delivered by the Fire and Rescue Service, which incorporated advice on home energy, cheaper tariffs and grants to support winter pressures and help to prevent winter deaths. Details of the initiative would be circulated to the Board.

    V.          The Chairman felt that it would be good to build on the contents of the BCF and working together at the next private session of the Board.

          RESOLVED

          That, following its submission to NHS England on the 11th of September 2017, the Cheshire East Health and Wellbeing Board endorses the Delivering Better Care in Cheshire East 2017-19 plan.