Decision details

A presentation was given on progress made since the Next Steps on the NHS Five Year Forward View was published on 31 March 2017 and the Sustainability Transformation Partnership (STP) for Lancashire and South Cumbria. A copy of the presentation is set out in the minutes.

In July 2017, Lancashire and South Cumbria was identified as advanced when NHS England compared STPs nationally. This demonstrated the strength of the collective efforts of organisations in the region to maintain and improve performance, and, provided a strong platform to build on.

There were key national priority areas for immediate delivery by the STP and the Accountable Care System (ACS). These were:

·  Urgent & Emergency Care

·  Mental Health

·  Learning Disabilities

On transformation, priority areas to be looked at were:

·  Primary Care

·  Community Care

·  Social Care

·  Prevention

·  Voluntary, Community and Faith Organisations

It was reported that growth monies would be used on all the above priority areas. However, on income for acute and specialised care, where most of the costs were incurred it was reported that this would remain the same.

It was noted that Lancashire and South Cumbria were not expecting a funding cut in health and care but were expecting around £345m in funding growth. It was projected that by 2020/21, Clinical Commissioning Groups would have a combined budget of £3.1bn and Upper Tier Councils would have a budget of £0.6bn for social care.

The STP would adopt the NHS RightCare approach looking at the best way to use resources with a focus on what was best for patients. RightCare benchmarked our health economies issues against places in similar economic areas and similar demographics. Delivery of efficiency savings within NHS providers was also being reviewed. Prioritised savings would be in areas such as surgical supplies and drugs, as well as reductions in the use of agency staff and staff sickness levels.

Involvement with Councillors, Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector and wider partners were a priority for the STP team. There was strong emphasis on developing the Communications and Engagement network. Local people would be involved through the Local Delivery Partnerships. There would be targeted public and patient engagement events taking place as the programme developed.

The Committee was informed that the STP Board was not a statutory body but the organisations within it were statutory. Whilst no organisation had a place on the Board as of right, all statutory organisations had signed up to it. The STP Board had an assurance role dealing with the sustainability of finances and performance against key targets as well as approving transformation plans. It was reported that a refresh of the STP would take place in approximately two months' time.

Members were informed that Partnership Board Engagement had representation from Health Education England and universities on it and dealt mainly with the transformation agenda.

Resolved: That;

  i.  The report be noted; and

  ii.  The Sustainability and Transformation Partnership Refresh be presented to a future meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee in the New Year.