Agenda item

A presentation on the proposed approach to publishing the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) 5-year Joint Forward Plan (JFP)

8.1 Dan Corfield, (Associate Programmes Director for the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care System), gave a detailed presentation on behalf of the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), on the requirement by the ICB to produce a 5-year Joint Forward Plan (JFP). To view the presentation, please refer to the link here

8.2 Dan advised that, in accordance with the Health and Care Act 2022, the ICB, (along with partner NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts), must prepare a 5-year joint forward plan (JFP), prior to the start of each financial year. The plan to be refreshed each year.

8.3 The JFP includes 4 core elements:

a)    Improve the outcomes of the population’s health and healthcare

b)    Tackle inequalities in outcomes, experience and access

c)    Enhance productivity and value for money, and

d)    Help the NHS support broader social and economic development requirements

8.4 The ICB must inform the Health and Wellbeing Board of the steps the ICB is proposing to implement the Joint Local HWB Strategy (JLHWS). The HWB must be provided with a draft version of the forward plan, for which the ICB must consult with the HWB on whether the plan takes proper account of each relevant JLHWS.

8.5 Following consultation, the HWB has the right to respond to the ICB and may give an opinion to NHS England. The forward plan must include a statement from the HWB on whether the JLHWS is taken proper account of within the joint forward plan

8.6 Following the establishment of the NHS Gloucestershire ICB on 1 July 2022, and subsequent abolishment of Clinical Commissioning Groups, (CCGs), the former requirement for CCGs to share commissioning plans with HWBs was removed.

8.7 Referring members to JFP guidance https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-on-developing-the-joint-forward-plan/ published on 23 December 2022, Dan advised the Board of the adjusted timescales for development and publication of the Gloucestershire JFP 2023. He confirmed that the proposed approach for producing the JFP was based on the 5-year aims and milestones taken from NHS transformation programmes, (to reflect the ‘pillars’ of the new ICP Strategy). Engagement and consultation had been conducted in line with the ICP Strategy process in order to avoid potential duplication and engagement fatigue. A draft version of the plan would be circulated at the end of March, with final publication, (to be shared with NHS England), published at the end of June 2023. Questioning the difference between transformation and improvement, Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years was informed that improvement was work already underway to make things better; transformation was seeking to better understand what work needed to be done to improve/make fit for purpose. Welcoming the question, it was explained that the basic difference was reflected in the services provided (improvement) and the services required (transformation) for the people of Gloucestershire.

8.8 The HWB was given an assurance that it would be involved as much as possible during the development process of the JFP, with draft versions shared at the earliest opportunity to ensure the ICB was taking proper account of the Joint Local HWB Strategy. Draft versions of the plan would be circulated to the Board in March, and again in May or June, plus any other major revisions that might emerge during this time. Any comments from the HWB would be included in the final (published) version of the JFP.

8.9 Four key questions were put to the Board at the meeting. These included;

1)    What was the Board’s overall opinion and response to the JFP development approach and scope outlined;

2)    Where would citizens find similar information regarding non healthcare elements of overall integrated care strategy delivery, and can/should links to these be provided within the JFP document?

3)    How would Board members like to be engaged with, (in addition to draft version of the plan being shared), to ensure the JFP is delivered in accordance with the integrated care strategy?

4)    What was the best way for the ICB to gain opinion, feedback and assurance from HWB?

Members were asked to consider the questions and provide any feedback to the Chair of the HWB via jo.moore@gloucestershire.gov.uk

8.10 Key comments raised at the meeting included: -

a)    The importance of enabling communities to contribute/become involved in the development of the plan;

b)    The request that the delivery plan sit alongside the JLHWS

c)    The need to consider the transformation of children’s mental health services and how they will be delivered;

d)    The delivery of services for the families of asylum seekers/refugees;

8.11 In receiving the report, the HWB noted: -

a)    The guidance provided in December 2022 at the link here

b)    The proposed approach by the ICB team to engage with partners in the development of the JFP

c)    That the work plan to produce the JFP was in progress and on schedule;

d)    The 4 questions outlined on page 50 of the agenda pack