Agenda item

Report CS18067

The Committee considered an update on the Integrated Care Networks (ICNs) which summarised the function and the impact of the Integrated Care Networks on adult social care and made recommendations relating to the Local Authority’s future involvement in this initiative.

In October 2016, three Integrated Care Networks were established across Bromley with the aim of providing a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) approach to ensure the most appropriate care and support was available to Bromley residents with complex care needs.  Over 550 referrals had been made to the Integrated Care Networks during the first nine months of operation up to the end of June 2017 with an average service user age of 82 years.  The Integrated Care Network Alliance Agreement initially consisted of six signatories to a Memorandum of Understanding that set out the objectives of the Integrated Care Networks, expected deliverables and the operational framework for the partners to work together.  The six signatories comprised Bromley Healthcare, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bromley GP Alliance, St Christopher’s Hospice and Bromley Third Sector Enterprise.  The Local Authority had not signed up to the Memorandum of Understanding at that time, but participated in Multi-Disciplinary Team discussions where there was a service user who received or might require social care support.  It was proposed that the Local Authority formally sign and join the Integrated Care Networks Alliance Agreement and that a number of drawdown requests be agreed to meet the costs of additional care packages and resource the Local Authority’s involvement in the Integrated Care Networks.

The Head of Programme Design (Commissioning) reported that due to limitations on data sharing the Local Authority did not have the NHS numbers of 42% of service users referred to the Integrated Care Networks as at end of June 2017 which had limited its ability to track service users.  A detailed data sharing agreement and robust data collection measures were in now in place and NHS numbers were registered for 90% of service users being referred to the Integrated Care Network.

In considering the report, a Member was concerned at the possible increase in the cost of adult social care packages as a result of referrals by the Integrated Care Networks, as the Improved Better Care Fund was resourced for a limited three year period after which the Local Authority would have to fund any additional costs.  The Head of Programme Design (Commissioning) advised Members that the three year funding period would provide an opportunity to consider how costs in this area could be managed sustainably.  As the Integrated Care Networks had already been established within the Borough, it was advisable for the Local Authority to be represented by a Senior Social Worker at Multi-Disciplinary Team discussionsto ensure that social care referrals and packages were appropriate and reflected the level of need, as well as ensuring that the coordination of care continued to have a multi-agency focus.  The use of early intervention was also expected to reduce escalation of care needs and support service users to remain independent for longer. 

RESOLVED that the Council’s Executive be recommended to:

1)  Approve the Council formerly signing and joining the Integrated Care Network Alliance Agreement as set out in Paragraph 4.8 to Report CS18067;

2)  Agree to the in-year drawdown of £365k from the Improved Better Care Fund, increasing to £629k in a full year for the next 3 years, as a result of additional care packages costs as set out in para 6.1-6.7 to Report CS18067; and,

3)  Agree the drawdown of £150k per annum from the Improved Better Care Fund for 3 years to resource the Council’s involvement in the Integrated Care Networks.