To agree Section 75 arrangements for 2011/12, including new arrangements in respect of adult social care, mental health and learning disability services.

The Cabinet Member, Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing presented the report to Cabinet and advised Cabinet that the monitoring of the Section 75 agreements would be carried out by the director of resources.

The Acting Director of Adult Social Care informed Cabinet:

• That learning disability and community health staff would be transferred to the new mental health provider 2gether NHS Foundation Trust.
• The Section 75 Integrated Care Organisation document was being finalised for sign off by the Chief Executive and Director of Resources.
• There would be a clear written understanding of how the service would operate with effective partnership working and monitoring to ensure effective delivery.
• The new service would be a joined up service supporting staff delivering services in community hospitals and out in the community.
• Members were reminded that previously the service had not been fully integrated for health and social care, this had now been addressed and there would be a commission delivery board meeting quarterly monitoring the service.
• Organisational change would continue and it was important to ensure arrangements were in place to support staff delivery the service.
• Preparations are underway for when the GP Consortium comes into being.
• In response to a question on accountability, Cabinet was reminded that this was a new vision for adult social care and the new framework was currently being consulted on.  It was added that within the new framework there was a clear set of outcomes for monitoring, which included the number of readmissions to hospital.  It was important to note that the accountability would be to the Health and Wellbeing Board, however there would continue to be external monitoring by the Care Quality Commission and other external regulators.

RESOLVED That:

a)      a Section 75 agreement be established between the Herefordshire Integrated Care Organisation and Herefordshire Council in respect of hospital, community health and adult social care services;

b)     a Section 75 agreement be established between 2gether NHS Foundation Trust and Herefordshire Council in respect of community Mental Health Services;

c)      the remaining Section 75 agreement between Herefordshire Council and NHS Herefordshire be revised to reflect the changes in provider arrangements arising from recommendations a) and b) above; and

d)     delegated authority be given to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to complete the agreements.