Decision details

6.1       The Board considered a report by the Chief Executive of East Sussex County Council providing an update on the annual progress of the East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

6.2       The following additional information was provided in response to questions from the Board:

·         The £200 million proposed reduction in the Department of Health’s non NHS Budget was still out for consultation, although it was expected to be confirmed. This will result in an expected £1.7-2 million reduction in the Public Health Grant, which will have an impact on a wide range of public health services commissioned by the Council that could be exacerbated by the potential removal of the ring fence around the Grant. The Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) process will help the Council to model and plan for these reductions in public health funding. Furthermore, any decision will need to be taken in conjunction with the Council’s commissioning partners as part of the East Sussex Better Together (ESBT) programme.

·         Steps were taken during 2014/15 to help ensure that the number of old people admitted to hospital due to falls achieved a target reduction of 1% per year. The impact of these changes is expected to be seen in the Quarter 4 data, but that data is not yet available.

·         There will be no additional resource available to assist with the conversion of Statements to Education, Health and Care Plans (ECHPs), but the Council will increasingly be measured on the number of conversions it achieves. At the same time, the Council could be taken to tribunal by a carer if there is a delay in the processing of a new ECHP. As a result, the Children’s Services Department will need to find a balance between converting Statements and creating new ECHPs.

·         Although there has been no developed measure for improving the experience of care for people at the end of their lives, as part of the ESBT programme, the Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will work more closely with patients and carers to provide them with care that reflects their needs and preferences.

6.3       RESOLVED:

1)    To note the report and its contents; and

2)    To agree the proposed changes to the measures and targets set out in paragraph 4.2.