Decision details

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Agrees to London Borough of Hillingdon entering into an agreement with North West London Integrated Care Board (NHS North West London) under section 75 of the National Health Service Act, 2006 for the delivery of the Better Care Fund plan as described in the report from the 4th April 2022 at a value of £109,080,146 for 2022/23 and subject to the plan completing the national assurance process.

2.     Agrees that the provisions of the agreement roll forward subject to the application by the London Borough of Hillingdon or NHS North West London of termination provisions within the agreement or its replacement by a successor agreement.

3.     Delegates to the Executive Director, Adult Services and Health authority to amend the terms of the agreement with NHS North West London, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed the Section 75 finance agreement which set out the additional funding for activity undertaken over the last year between the Council and the local NHS to improve the integration of health and social care services.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care noted the nationally set timescales which had meant that it was not possible for the Council and the Integrated Health Board to approve the Better Care Fund agreement earlier. To address this, the Cabinet Member explained that Cabinet would be asked to agree that the arrangements roll forward and noted that in future they may be put on a two year basis. The delegated authority proposed would provide agility to respond to evolving events, such as the new Hospital Discharge Fund. The Cabinet Member also informed Cabinet of a minor financial amendment to the report.

Both the Cabinet Member and Leader of the Council welcomed how the report demonstrated the strong partnership work between the Council and NHS.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have not approved the financial agreement, but this would have meant that the Council would not receive the additional care funding.