Agenda item

Andrew Hughes, Head of Care and Health Improvement Programme, introduced the report giving an overview of the Care and Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) priorities and key activities for 2018/19. He summarised CHIP priorities for 2018/19 as risks and resources, care market quality and sustainability, as well as sustainable and integrated care and health systems. He emphasised that there would be specific work around the Better Care Fund and digital innovations, including assisted technology.

Andrew also brought the Board’s attention to CHIP’s work with Councils to prepare them for the possibility of providers going out of business, and supporting local authorities with financial risks around this. He also highlighted that CHIP would continue to work with local authorities with delayed transfers of care.

In the discussion which followed, the following points were raised;

·         A view was expressed that further information on the impact of leaving the European Union on the social care workforce would be valuable.

·         The importance of upskilling staff in social care was also highlighted.

·         In response to a concern raised as to how delayed transfers of care were being reported, Andrew Hughes reassured the Board that CHIP were aware and ensuring they are prepared to counter this.

·         A view was expressed that local government needed to continue to come up with new ways to interact with the care market.

Decision

The Improvement and Innovation Board noted the agreed priorities for the Care and

Health Improvement Programme and the high level activities that will be delivered for

2018/19.