Agenda item

The Board received a presentation by Joe Fowler (Director of Commissioning, Sheffield City Council) and Tim Furness (Director of Business Planning and Partnerships, NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group) concerning the Board’s plans for the integration of health and social care. The presentation made reference to formal and informal integration and the role of commissioners in achieving the best outcomes for citizens. The challenge was to undertake initiatives at the appropriate scale, learning from what happens in one area to inform the implementation of initiatives in other areas. The Joint Commissioning Executive Team had prioritised the development of plans for integrating in the areas of community prevention, intermediate care and re-ablement and long term high support and CAMHS would also be considered. Challenges included how organisations could pool resources and better manage funds both locally and nationally and how greater autonomy might be achieved for Sheffield. A further report would be submitted to the Board in March 2014.

Members of the Board made comments as summarised below:

The priority areas and general direction of travel were supported. The role of NHS England in supporting integration and the role for Healthwatch in engagement and (patient) voice was acknowledged. The focus upon outcomes was in contrast to previous attempts at health and social care integration, which had concentrated on structure.

The Board was responding to consultation on proposals collectively and it needed to make sure its voice was heard by all political parties in relation to integration and what works for the City.

There were developments with regard to opportunities within the Children and Families Bill, for example, in relation to special needs.

RESOLVED: That (a) the presentation concerning the integration of health and social care is noted; (b) the Board be kept regularly appraised of progress in relation to the integration of health and social care; and (c) a further report on the integration of health and social care is submitted to the Board at its meeting in March 2014.