Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Jerry Roodhouse and Nigel Minns (WCC), Russell Hardy (South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust),

Emma Daniell (Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner) and Liz Hancock (Healthwatch Warwickshire).

None.

None.

For the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Sub-Committee to consider and approve the final version of the Better Care Fund Plan for 2022/23, for submission to NHS England in line with the recommendation and delegation of the Board on 7^th September 2022.                          

At the Health and Wellbeing Board on 7^th September, consideration was given to the Better Care Fund (BCF) Annual Plan for 2022/23 and the requirements for submission to NHS England by 26^th September. It was agreed that approval of the final version of the plan be delegated to a Sub-Committee of the Board, once it had been approved by the Integrated Care Board and the County Council. It was confirmed that those approvals had now been received.

Rachel Briden, Integrated Partnership Manager presented the updated version of the documents. Following feedback from the Regional BCF Manager, minor amendments had been made to the BCF Narrative Plan. These were shown as tracked changes in the appended document and were pointed out to the Sub-Committee.

Discussion took place on the final documents as follows:

• The Chair asked a question about overall responsibilities within the new integrated care structures. This had been raised the previous day at the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Responsibility for the BCF rested with the Health and Wellbeing Board. The commitment to its delivery had been endorsed by both the Integrated Care Board and the County Council’s Cabinet. The lead officers for the BCF were confirmed.
• There was discussion about how the BCF aligned to specific services, those which came within the BCF and those such as hospital discharge which were not part of the BCF. There was a lot of improvement activity underway both jointly and within individual organisations.
• Questions were submitted about monitoring arrangements. There were some areas such as care which needed to be kept under review. Officers confirmed that all organisations had monitoring arrangements and there were numerous boards which received periodic updates. An outline was given of the various arrangements including the weekly monitoring meetings. 
• Officers confirmed the use of some of the BCF funds through the IBCF to support workforce development, recruitment and retention campaigns, both for health and social care and some wider activity.
• Further information was provided on the high-level capacity and demand plans for intermediate care services. This was a new requirement for a monthly forecast for quarters three and four. It would also look at the capacity and flexibility of teams to potentially support increased demand. This was expected to become a planning requirement moving forwards. An outline was given of the local services this included. It would provide a joined-up and more transparent approach.
• Following the BCF submission, there would be a month for the assurance process in case any further information was required. The final outcome would be known by 30^th November 2022. 

Resolved

That the Board’s Sub-Committee approves the final version of the Better

Care Fund Plan for 2022/23, for submission to NHS England in line with

the recommendation and delegation of the Board on 7^th September

2022.