Proposed decision:
To give KCC’s approval for the Kent and Medway Interim Integrated Care Strategy as recommended by the Integrated Care Partnership. In approving the Interim Strategy, KCC is committing to working with partners in the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System to deliver the objectives set out.
Further Information:
This will be the first Integrated Care Strategy to be produced since Integrated Care Systems came into existence in July 2022. Statutory guidance from the Department for Health and Social Care states that Integrated Care Strategies need to be published by the end of December 2022 to inform the first 5-year joint forward plans which Integrated Care Boards (NHS) are required to publish before the next financial year. The guidance recognises that 2022 to 2023 will be a transition period and that Integrated Care Partnerships will want to refresh and develop their Integrated Care Strategy as they grow and mature. Therefore, the Strategy published by the end of December will be an initial or interim version that will be developed later. This later iteration will expand on the ambitions and commitments of the partners, including the County Council and, therefore, will be subject to a separate key decision through the normal governance process.
In its Council Strategy, Framing Kent’s Future, KCC has committed to seize the opportunity of integrating our planning, commissioning and decision making in adult, children, and public
health services through being a partner in the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System at place and system level. Through its statutory requirements and the commitments it has made, KCC is a key partner in the development and implementation of the Integrated Care Strategy.
The Integrated Care Partnership is required to produce the Kent and Medway Interim Integrated Care Strategy and this has been managed by the three statutory partners of the Integrated Care Partnership- KCC, Medway Council and the Integrated Care Board (NHS Kent and Medway). A multiagency steering group and project group which includes the Director of Public Health and the Director of Strategy, Policy, Relationships and Corporate Assurance working closely in partnership with wider partners have developed the Interim Strategy . providing regular updates to the Integrated Care Partnership which is chaired by the Leader of KCC. Development of the Interim Strategy has followed the requirements set out in statutory guidance, including contents to be included and involvement of stakeholders. The Interim Strategy has been shaped by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessments for Kent and Medway. It has a strong emphasis on the wider determinants of health, recognising that a wide range of factors influence health and wellbeing besides health and care services. The Interim Strategy sets out the commitment to closer working and integration between health and care services and with other services that influence the wider determinants, many of which are provided by KCC as well as other partners in the public and voluntary and community sectors.
Given the limited time available for the development of the Interim Strategy, engagement with stakeholders has been focused on key partner organisations across the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System including at a symposium on 28th October 2022 and presentations at Joint Kent Chiefs and Leaders meetings.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 27/10/2022
Decision due: Not before 25th Nov 2022 by Cabinet
Lead director: David Whittle
Department: Strategic & Corporate Services
Contact: Karen Busby, Policy and Relationships Adviser (Health) Email: karen.cook@kent.gov.uk or 07540672904 Email: Karen.Busby@kent.gov.uk Tel: 03000 415281.
Consultees
Public consultation will be delivered from early 2023 to shape the development and implementation of the final Strategy.
However, there are opportunities to engage in the development of the Interim Strategy through:
· Symposium on October 28th involving Members, leaders and senior managers across the County from KCC, NHS, Medway Council, Voluntary and Community Sector and Business leaders to comment and contribute to the interim Strategy
· Online platform for Members, public and professionals to feedback
(https://www.kmhealthandcare.uk/about-us/kent-and-medway-health-and-care-symposium)
The issue will be discussed, and a decision taken by Cabinet on 1st December 2022.
Financial implications: In the new year, a comprehensive joint programme of engagement and consultation will be planned so that wider stakeholders and residents can influence the development of the Strategy and its implementation. KCC’s Strategy, Policy, Relationships Corporate Assurance division has committed £30,000 to support this engagement and consultation activity. There are no other costs associated with the development of the Integrated Care Strategy for KCC except officer time.
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. Within the new statutory ICS structures, the involvement of local government has been formalised through the ICP and through the direct representation of local authorities on the ICB. 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. ICSs must draw on the joint health and wellbeing strategies and Joint Strategic Needs Assessments in producing their integrated care strategies and five-year system plans. 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 development of the Interim Integrated Care Strategy is in development alongside the development of the Strategy. This document is being developed by NHS collegues with input from KCC officers. Data Protection Implications: A Data Protection Impact Assessment is not required.