Background Information:
KCC is a partner local authority in the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System and a statutory member of the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Partnership (ICP). It is a statutory requirement for Integrated Care Partnerships to produce an Integrated Care Strategy, which sets the strategic direction and priorities for the health and wellbeing of the population.
The Integrated Care Strategy has been developed by the three statutory partners of the ICP – KCC, Medway Council and NHS Kent and Medway. It will be approved by each of these partners through their own governance arrangements subject to recommendation for approval by the ICP at its meeting on 7 December 2023. Cabinet will be asked to approve the strategy for KCC on 4 January. Recommendation by the ICP and approval by all the three statutory partners will be required before the strategy can be implemented.
The Kent and Medway Integrated Care Strategy also performs the role of the Kent Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Given that the Kent area covers most of the Integrated Care System’s footprint, having a single strategy for the health and wellbeing of the population of Kent will provide clarity and ensure that all partners are focused on delivering the shared outcomes that have been identified. Having a separate Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Kent would risk duplication and diversion of resources. The Kent Health and Wellbeing Board is responsible for approving the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Kent will receive the Integrated Care Strategy at its next meeting in December.
An Interim Integrated Care Strategy for Kent and Medway was produced and approved by the ICP and statutory partners in December 2022 in order to meet government requirements. KCC and partners committed to refreshing it by the end of 2023 to allow for full engagement and consultation to inform and develop the final version. Details of the Decision 22/00097 taken by Cabinet to approve the Interim Integrated Care Strategy can be accessed here. During 2023, extensive consultation with stakeholders and the public has taken place and the findings have informed the refreshed version that will be presented for approval. The Strategy has also been shaped by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessments for Kent and Medway.
The strategy will be a vehicle for the further integration of health and care services to better meet the needs of individuals and communities, support the sustainability of health and care services and go beyond ‘traditional’ NHS and social care services to act on the wider determinants of health with other partners to bring real improvements in health outcomes. It will support KCC to achieve the commitments set out in Framing Kent’s Future to integrate our planning, commissioning and decision making in adult’s, children’s, and public health services through being a partner in the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System at place and system level.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 17/10/2023
Decision due: Not before 15th Nov 2023 by Cabinet
Reason: To allow the required 28 day notice period under Executive Decision arrangements
Lead director: Dr Anjan Ghosh
Department: Social Care, Health & Wellbeing
Contact: Jenny Dixon-Sherreard, Policy Manager Email: jenny.dixon-sherreard@kent.gov.uk or 03000 416598 Email: jenny.dixon@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 694122.
Consultees
Extensive stakeholder and public consultation has taken place to inform the refresh of the Integrated Care Strategy. This has been jointly led by KCC, Medway Council and NHS Kent and Medway. Stakeholder engagement has included workshops and meetings with KCC Members and Directorate Management Teams, District Councils and partners, Kent Association of Local Councils, Officer of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Kent Housing Group, VCSE Alliances and groups, Health and Care Partnerships and providers. Public engagement has included 32 in-person events resulting in feedback from over 1200 people, an online platform and survey with social media promotion campaign and 20 focus groups with vulnerable communities facilitated by VCSE organisations. A full consultation report will be produced alongside the strategy.
Cabinet Committee consultation planned:
The Integrated Care Strategy covers a broad range of issues and services and will therefore be considered by the following relevant Cabinet Committees prior to Cabinet on 4th January 2024:
- Health Reform and Public Health – 7 November
- Growth, Economic Development and Communities – 9 November
- Adult Social Care – 16 November
- Children, Young People and Education – 21 November
Financial implications: No direct costs are associated with the approval of the Integrated Care Strategy. Costs for consultation activity and officer time in developing the strategy have been managed within existing budgets. The Integrated Care Strategy sets out the vision for further integration of our services to better meet health and care needs and make the best use of resources. Delivery of the strategy will be managed through more detailed delivery and commissioning plans across the system, where specific financial implications will be identified and managed.
Legal implications: KCC is a partner local authority in the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System and a statutory member of the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Partnership. The Health and Care Act 2022 requires Integrated Care Partnerships to produce an Integrated Care Strategy to set out how the assessed health and care needs of the area can be met through the exercise of the functions of the Integrated Care Board, partner local authorities or NHS England. Integrated Care Systems must draw on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies and Joint Strategic Needs Assessments in producing their Integrated Care Strategies. Commissioners must have regard to the relevant Integrated Care Strategy when exercising any of their functions, so far as relevant.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment for the Integrated Care Strategy is in development alongside the development of the strategy. This is being led jointly by KCC, Medway Council and NHS Kent and Medway. The strategy aims to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for all people in Kent and Medway, with a particular emphasis on addressing health inequalities and providing more support for those with the greatest need including needs associated with protected characteristics. There is therefore expected to be a positive overall impact of the strategy. Detailed equality impact assessment and planning will need to be undertaken for the actions put in place by all partners to deliver the shared outcomes and priorities in the strategy Data Protection implications: A Data Protection Impact Assessment is not required.