Issue - meetings

To note the progress of the Better Together Programme in 2022/23, provide feedback on the proposed schemes and support the plan approved under delegation by the HWBB Sub-Committee on 16 December 2022.  It is suggested that a further update will be provided, following publication of the national Better Care Fund Policy Framework for 2023/24.

Dame Stella Manzie (UHCW) addressed the meeting and asked whether the Board wanted her, Russell Hardy or Diane Whitfield to comment on the general situation affecting healthcare overall, particularly on the NHS side.  She advised that from a University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW) perspective there were obviously big challenges but she wanted to emphasise the huge efforts being made not to cancel elective procedures, some had had to be cancelled but the numbers were relatively small compared to the scheduled procedures in place.  She recognised that whilst the situation was a big concern for everyone involved, she assured the Board that all hospital trusts were valiantly trying to ensure they minimised the cancellation of elective care.

Russell Hardy fully supported the comments made and took the opportunity to apologise to Warwickshire citizens for the access challenges they had experienced over the last few weeks.  He felt it was important to recognise this and to assure that there were programmes going on to make sure lessons were learned and, despite the challenges, would ensure that next year the system was in a much better place.