Agenda and minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 3 October 2023, 11 October 2023 and 19 October 2023.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2023, 11 October 2023 and 19 October 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair. 

To receive an update on the work of the Health & Wellbeing Board.

The Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) advised Members that the next meeting of the Health & Wellbeing Board was scheduled to take place on 14 December 2023. The agenda pack link would be circulated to Health Scrutiny Committee Members for information.

To receive an update on the work of the Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) informed Members of the Committee that the next scheduled meeting of the Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee was due to take place on 27 February 2024. Members were informed that once the agenda had been published, it would be circulated to the Committee for information. The focus of the next meeting was on Urgent and Emergency Care, Winter Planning preparedness and Virtual Wards.

For the Committee to receive a presentation on the Better Care Fund.

Members received a presentation on the Better Care Fund (BCF) which detailed how the fund was used to support schemes and programmes across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin including Hospital Discharge. The BCF had national priorities that local authorities had to meet. This was the first time that the priorities would be set out for a two year period. The current BCF priorities were to take place from 2023 to 2024 and allowed for further planning and implementation of programmes by officers. Members were informed that there were priorities set out regarding the BCF. These included a clear approach to integration across delivery and commissioning, enabling people to stay well, safe and independent at home, support for unpaid carers and supported housing which included minor and major adaptations. These priorities along with others were set out by the National Government to ensure that a standard quality of care was being delivered.

The local authority worked closely with NHS colleagues to support an effective delivery of care that used the funding efficiently. Members were informed that the approach taken towards the funding was one that was person-centred across all access points.

Members were informed that there was additional money that was awarded at different times to help support with the delivery of programmes. The metrics regarding the funding for the BCF was said to be based on national metrics that were linked to discharges. This was explained to ensure that the funding and programmes provided appropriate care at the relevant time.

Some of the schemes funded under the BCF were highlighted to Members. These included funding for domiciliary care beds, partnership with community trusts and community resilience. Support was also available for carers and additional grant support for further care for those that need it the most. Following this, Members received an update on Neighbourhood Care and that there would be further support to conduct earlier assessments as well as support with adaptations in the home.

Members were informed that in recent years, there had been an increase in the need for care and specifically for domiciliary care. It was highlighted that recent events such as the COVID-19 Pandemic had caused an increase on the demand of the service. In recent years, it was highlighted that the use of virtual wards being implemented was designed to help ease pressures on the service.

Members heard about the priorities with regards to hospital discharge. It was highlighted that the service had system reviews from the Department of Health and Social Care and from the NHS England Service Improvement Team to aid hospital discharge. This was to support the system to ensure that hospital discharges were both timely and effective. Members were informed of the performance monitoring of hospital discharge which included statistics on the number of patients that were classed as having no criteria to reside, their length of stay, the complex discharges by day and pathway profile by the length of stay. It was highlighted that the statistics were monitored daily, weekly  ...  view the full minutes text for item HAC-28

To review the updated Work Programme for the Health Scrutiny Committee.

The Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) informed members that there was no substantial changes to the work programme. Members were informed that the working group on Primary Care would continue in the New Year with a report to be presented at the formal committee meeting by the end of the municipal year.

The Chair had no further updates for the committee and thanked officers from both the Council and the NHS for their attendance.