Wirral used the Better Care Fund (BCF) to drive integration and prioritised change and development of services to improve patient outcomes and support the move to financial sustainability. The priorities supported the 5-year plan with a key focus on supporting the development of 7-day community intermediate and neighbourhood services which facilitated people remaining in their own homes as long as possible and mitigating the need for acute care.

The Director for (Adult) Care & Health introduced this report which advised on a BCF submission for Wirral, which was part of the assurance process. There had been notable successes though BCF, such as a 20% reduction within two years in the need for long term care and a 17% growth in domiciliary care within 18 months, but there were challenges, notably length of stay in acute and community bed-based settings. To tackle this, there had been a focus on optimising home first and intermediate bed-based provision and diverting ambulance and NHS 111 helpline calls to primary and community services where appropriate. There had been approximately £59 million investment to reduce pressure in hospitals.

Resolved - That the contents of the Better Care Fund Update report be noted.