Appendix 2

Excerpt from the BCF plan setting out revised BCF metrics

1) Emergency admissions to hospital for people aged over 65 per 100,000 population

Our current performance target is 1,421 improving to 1,292 admissions per 100,000 of the population for people aged over 65, this equates to an average of 1,958 admissions a month. The revised metric target reflects the measures agreed within the Sussex health and care system Winter Plan to reduce avoidable admissions through proactive care and MDT coordination. We have submitted to NHSE a monthly average of 2,047 improving to 1,861 admissions per 100,0000 which equates to an average of 1,919 admissions a month, a 2% improvement.

The review of this metric has been undertaken in line with national guidance and reflects the Sussex winter plan. The plan includes delivering alternatives to hospital admission, such as redirection into community-based care, and senior decision-making at the 'front door'. This supports the Shared Delivery Plan priority of reducing A&E attendances and improving demand management. 

The revisions reflect the plan objectives that include supporting our population to stay well and ensure we have proactive care in place for those most at risk through the following action:

• Improving vaccination rates, including health care professionals
• Proactive identification and care planning for patients with highest needs (including care/nursing home residents)
• Proactive approach to support patients at risk of respiratory illness
• Improving Flow through intermediate care services
• Increased utilisation of virtual health solutions.

There is work in progress towards a higher-level ambition and improving trajectory through further improvements sought for 2026/27.

2) Average length of discharge delay

Our current target is 81.6% of patients are discharged on their ‘discharge ready date’ (DRD). For patients with a delayed discharge this will be an average of 10.37 days giving an overall average for all patients of 1.91 days average length of discharge delay. Our revised metric target submitted to NHSE is 81.7% of patients are discharged on their DRD. For patients with a delayed discharge this will be an average of 10.0 days giving an overall average for all patients of 1.83 days average length of discharge delay. This improvement reflects the East Sussex health and care system, and Sussex system partners’ agreed plans to improve discharge performance for the benefit of all patients through 2025/26.

Sussex health and care organisations have been part of the national NHS England (NHSE) and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Discharge oversight since early 2023. This initiative has involved regular meetings with the Discharge Admissions Group (DAG) to review progress, discuss improvements, and explore learnings from other areas. This review has provided us with critical challenge to our approach, and improvement plans that were presented are reflected in the revised trajectories shown.