To note the Better Care Fund (BCF) quarter 3 performance template 2025-26, as circulated to board members on 25 February 2026.

Hilary Hall updated the board on the Better Care Fund (BCF) quarter 3 performance template 2025/26, the main points included:

i.             Performance against national metrics had been mixed, with: ‘Emergency admissions to hospital for people aged over 65 per 100,000 population’ being on track; ‘Average length of discharge delay for all acute adult patients’ not being on track; and ‘Long-term admissions to residential care homes and nursing homes for people aged 65 and over per 100,000 population’ being below target.

ii.            A huge amount of work had gone into the revised Discharge to Assess (D2A) Model; it was noted that high levels of spending, particularly on hospital discharge services, represented a significant risk to maintaining financial balance in the BCF by the end of the financial year.

iii.          Work was being undertaken on Herefordshire’s Better Care Plan for 2026/2027.

Resolved:       That

a)      the Better Care Fund (BCF) 2025/26 quarter three report at Appendix 1 submitted to NHS England be approved retrospectively; and

b)      the ongoing work to support integrated health and care provision that is funded via the BCF be noted.