To receive and update on the Better Care Fund and consider the progress made.

The Director of Social Care and Housing introduced a report that updated the Committee on the Better Care Plan that had recently been approved.  Members were advised  that Social Care and Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group colleagues had started joint working on a number of small joint projects in Central Bedfordshire.  The Better Care Fund (BCF) priorities would continue to be implemented and the findings of the SCHH OSC Enquiry into Integration and the Peer Review findings would be amalgamated and introduced.

The Head of Partnerships and Performance advised the aim of the BCF was to ensure the funding and care was where it is most needed.  Three themed schemes to deliver improvements had been identified:

·         Out of hospital care

·         Prevention

·         Protecting Social Services including support for carers.

Members welcomed the direction of travel, that would see the focus of care and funding on the individual and the challenges faced to integrate all services.

RECOMMENDED

The Committee

·         Welcomed the key priorities of the Plan.

·         Appreciated the pressures on health and social care in a demand led service and the consequent financial pressures.

·         Noted the concern expressed about delays in patient discharge and the need for health and social care to work more closely together to provide any necessary support in the community.

·         Looked forward to the developing, clearer vision for integrated health and social care and urged all parties to embrace the vision in the Plan.

Noted and welcomed the full approval from NHS England.