A partnership arrangement under section 75 (s75) of the NHS Act 2006 enables partners to commission integrated health and social care services to better meet the needs of service users than if the partners were operating independently. Section 75 agreements provide a contractual framework for the use of pooled funds between the council and CCG, to enable services to be delivered and commissioned co-dependently.

The s75 agreement is a national requirement, set by NHS England under the NHS Act 2006.

All of the schemes within the Integration and BCF plan are included within the s75 agreement including better care fund spending on social care services (PASC), NHS Commissioned Out of Hospital Care and care home market management. All schemes funded through the improved better care fund are included, along with the integrated community equipment store.

Scheme level information has been finalised, following the publication of the national BCF policy framework and planning guidance. National approval of Herefordshire’s Integration and BCF plan was received during January 2020.