Agenda item

INTEGRATED CARE SYSTEM

Minutes:

A Report by The Chief Officer, NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), provided an update on the Integrated Care System and the associated changes to Wirral’s (CCG).

 

By way of background, Members were advised how partners across Wirral have a long history of working effectively together to agree and deliver shared outcomes. They were further advised how the Integrated Care System and the developmental Wirral Place Based Partnership would be inclusive, bringing together commissioners, providers and colleagues from Social Care, Health and Voluntary Sectors. The report informed how Wirral’s Place Based Partnership would build on the Boroughs Health and Wellbeing Strategy by developing the partnership strategy/priorities and associated outcomes for health and care across Wirral. It advised how Wirral’s Place Based Partnership would be responsible for the delivery of an Integrated Health and Social Care system through effective stakeholder collaboration and improved health and social care services to deliver better outcomes for the population of Wirral.

 

The report advised how Officers from a range of health social care and voluntary organisations will attend Wirral’s Place Based Partnership to work together to transform services across the health and social care system to deliver sustainable change with maximum benefits to communities, residents, and patients. Members heard how Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership wrote to partners on 22 October 2021 to update about the process of developing the new ICB’s Constitution and engagement with system partners and stakeholders.  Members then heard how the ICB would be responsible for implementing the overall NHS strategy in Cheshire and Merseyside, assigning resources, securing assurance, and ensuring partners that the right activities are focused on securing the best outcomes for communities. The report explained how The ICB Constitution is heavily prescribed nationally to reflect the need for clear and consistent process on the management of NHS resources and decision making. However, specific choices are required in relation to the membership and size of the ICB including the number of executives, non-executives, and partner members. It was explained how integration would build upon and strengthen the existing single approach to integrated planning and commissioning at place and building upon the pooled resources of £235M.

 

Members were further advised how Several workshops had been held to develop the Wirral Place Based Partnership arrangements including workshops with elected members, partners and technical expertise.  A workshop was held on 8 October 2021 with Senior Officers from partner organisations to develop the governance arrangements for the Wirral’s Place-Based Partnership. The following areas were agreed at the workshop as detailed below:

 

· An understanding of the requirements and expectations of the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership in the design of place-based arrangements and process of the appointment of a Lead for Wirral who will discharge the duties of ICB.

· Agreement that the Wirral Plan 2021-25 Vision for place is the overarching strategy and the core principles for Wirral’s Place-based Partnership (as created by the System leads and Healthy Wirral Partnership)

· Support for the Wirral Integrated Care Partnership Delivery Group to continue shaping and designing the detail of the Governance Structure aligned to the guidance and legislation.

· Confirmation that a programme of continued consultation and engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders, led by the recently mobilised fourth Workstream of Communication and Engagement, is a priority.

· A commitment by all to continue to work together to drive forward integration, joint working and new ways of working to improve outcomes for residents and partners to truly make a sustained difference.

 

The report informed Members how Wirral’s Place Based Partnership would drive a culture towards greater collaboration and joint working and build upon what partners have already worked hard to develop over the years. Governance arrangements would continue to develop over time, with the potential to develop into more formal arrangements as working relationships and trust increases. Members were further informed how Wirral Place Based Partnership Terms of Reference continue to be developed and will be brought to the next Health and Well-being Board and Public Health and Adults Social Care meetings for discussion and approval.

 

The report advised how there are nine Local Authorities working together at Cheshire and Merseyside System level: Wirral, Warrington, Sefton, St Helens, Liverpool, Knowsley, Halton, Cheshire East & Chester and Cheshire West. Cheshire and Merseyside System required all ‘Places’ to self-assess against each of the domains of their partnership maturity by 5 November 2021.

 

Mr Greg Dropkin, representing campaign group ‘ Save our NHS’ addressed the Committee to express some concerns on behalf of the group most notably emergency care provision

 

In response to a question by a Member in relation to the constitution of the ICB Board, Members were advised that the constitution would need to be authorised as a CCG and that there would be a small executive team appointed. The Chief Officer resolved to provide Members with documentation on the proposed make up of the ICB. Furthermore, In response to an additional question, the Chief Officer advised that a provision within the constitution to ensure that the NHS remains preferred providers would not be listed within the document itself, but would be within associated guidance as a recommendation.

 

Members were then advised in response to a question that any administrative change that the bill would bring will be subject to consultation and there will be a purpose for appointing a Director of Place to ensure that voices are heard, furthermore attention would be focused to the ‘ Digital Agenda’ to ensure that the digitally disadvantaged are reached.

 

In response to a further question, Members were advised how there has been Trade Union involvement and a reference group has been established.

The Chief Officer spoke of the importance of collaborative working and that the agenda for change that has served the NHS well in recent years. A result of this had been improving patient care He also highlighted the importance of accentuating ‘Place’

 

On a motion by Councillor J Robinson, seconded by Councillor D Brennan it was:

 

Resolved – That the Partnerships Committee resolve to note the report and recommend that the provision of emergency care to all who are present  in the area is retained within the new arrangements and that the relevant council committee should undertake further scrutiny on the issue.

 

 

 

Supporting documents: