Decision details

Proposed Decision:

To agree the extension of collaborative partnership arrangement with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) until at least March 2025 and ongoing delivery of Public Health services through this approach. Public Health services included within the current arrangement are listed below:

·         Health Visiting

·         School Health Services

·         Sexual Health Services

·         Lifestyle Services and NHS Health Checks

·         Oral Health Services

·         Postural Stability Services

Background:

Kent County Council took the decision to enter into an innovative partnership with Kent Community Health Foundation Trust (KCHFT) in September 2017, with the aim to maximise the opportunity to improve the health of Kent residents, deliver common objectives and accelerate delivery of the Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP), known as the Sustainability Transformation Partnership.  This arrangement was also designed to offer the flexibility to align to new local care arrangements.

This decision recognised that KCHFT was integral to the delivery of the STP and recognised that both KCC and KCHFT faced significant challenges which could be better managed through a joint open and transparent approach. The original decision put procurement in “abeyance” until at least March 2020 and a further decision is required on how best to deliver these services in the future. Legal advice taken at this time confirmed that the approach was permitted within the Procurement Regulations.

The Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation structures are more advanced than in 2017 and local leaders are working to deliver the local plan, Case for Change. This includes a series of commitments which have been supported by KCHFT. Kent and Medway STP is developing a five-year plan in response to the national LTP and is required to become an Integrated Care System (ICS) in the coming months. Services and health providers will need to align to these changes and work with commissioners to determine how they can best integrate and support acceleration of local care.

Kent continues to face a series of significant demographic pressures alongside budget constraints and pressures, e.g. long-term clarity on national NHS pay and uncertainty on future funding arrangements for the Public Health grant.

As Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, I agree to the extension of the collaborative partnership arrangement with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, until at least March 2025, and ongoing delivery of Public Health services through this approach.

Public Health services included are listed below:

• Health Visiting
• School Health Services
• Sexual Health Services
• Lifestyle Services and NHS Health Checks
• Oral Health Services
• Postural Stability Services