Agenda item

The Board received an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) which asked that the Board give approval to the Plan for submission the current year and delegated authority to sign future plans as the sequencing of the Board meetings did not coincide with the sign off of the Plan.  It gave an overview of the Better Care Fund Submission and set out the programme and resources and the key issues around working in an integrated way and they key principle which was a person centred approach in order to improve outcomes.

The Better Care Fund was now in its ninth year and it looked at how to work locally together to use the existing monies and grants and looked for ideas how to use the funds to relate to specific services and schemes and how they could link to a whole range of preventative services and public health services.

A template of income and expenditure was used for the submission process and a two year winter plan drawn up showing demand and capacity modelling which was also part of the winter plan.  The template included funding for NHS, social care, hospital services, BCF funding and facilities grants.

The plan had set out an integrated, person centred approach and presented how the BCF would work with the TWIPP, local care and urgent care.  It also highlighted how people could live well in Telford & Wrekin and focussed on supporting neighbourhood working, specialist community teams and the redesign in relation to IDT and the flow in and out of the hospital.

Policy guidance had been issued in relation to condition 4 which had two themes being staying well and safe at home for longer and the right are in the right place at the right time.  This had been considered and there was currently a pilot scheme ongoing in order to share learning. 

The key focus of the BCF continued to be a range of services in relation to care and support, support and advice for working, crisis response and moving and handling assessments for carers.

An external review had taken place in relation to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and Housing Related Support (HRS) which had been complimentary on its flexibility and creative solutions and how people live well at home. 

A line by line review of expenditure had taken place and the Board could be confident in the narrative plan.

During the discussion it was suggested that an area of focus could be on supporting unpaid carers and if a booklet could be produced for those who needed support.   In relation to resources, although these were spent well, the funding received was the lowest in the region and it was suggested that representations were made for increased funding.

It was confirmed that there was a carer centre and live well platform which gave general and more specific information and a carer’s guide would be circulated periodically.  Part of the discharge process was to routinely ask family if they were able to support and a carer’s assessment should be undertaken.

Upon being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the Better Care Fund Programme for 2022/23 be approved; and

b)   delegated authority be given to the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board to approve future plans on behalf of the Board.