Agenda item

The Director of Adults and Communities presented an update to the Panel on the progress made by the Frimley Health and Care Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP). It was highlighted that three of the NHS systems were moving forward as a Health and Social Care System. The Autumn 2017 budget had been announced on the 22^nd November by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Panel were updated with details of the announced budget and that there would be more funding available for NHS services but that there would be no further funding for social care. Members discussed the potential service implications of outlined pressures upon the social care budget and the mitigating measures being taken.

Capital schemes had been applied for which would mean more investment for the development of hubs within the STP agenda. Notably discharge rates of patients was below the nationally set targets and members welcomed the positive performance. Members discussed whether there would be privatisation of services moving forward to generate income for the STP and its ambitions. The Director of Adults and Communities advised that there were no plans to privatise services and that part of the future challenges was surrounding NHS Services delivering more with less funding. It was noted that where contracts were ending that there would be an outlook to procure and tender different contracts to provide efficiency savings and best value. A Member asked whether there were any institutional or legal constraints for the STP to engage and work with charities. It was stated that work was already being conducted with charities and that a large volume of work had been commissioned from voluntary sectors as part of the Care Act 2014 reform; whereby Councils could delegate to any organisations.

Members also asked about management consultations and whether these could be reduced and it was stated that there was very minimal spending in this area and that work was done with building leaders within the organisations  (mainly consultants or practitioners) for one off pieces of work. At the summary of the discussion the report was noted.

Resolved-   That the report be noted.