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Integration Joint Board - Tuesday, 29th September, 2026 10.00 am
September 29, 2026 at 10:00 am Integration Joint Board View on council websiteSummary
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The Integration Joint Board (IJB) of Aberdeen City Council met on Tuesday 29 September 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the transfer of Bon Accord Care services, whistleblowing arrangements, audited financial accounts, and the annual performance report. Key decisions included noting progress on the Bon Accord Care transfer, endorsing further promotion of whistleblowing, approving the audited accounts, and commenting on the publication of the annual performance report.
Progress on Bon Accord Care Transfer
The Board noted the progress made during the first quarter of 2026/27 in transferring Bon Accord Care (BAC) services, staff, governance, and regulatory responsibilities into Aberdeen City Council (ACC) and the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP). Assurance was given that service delivery and interim governance arrangements remained in place during the phased transfer of Care Inspectorate registrations. As of 16 September 2026, all nine Care Inspectorate registrations had been completed. The Board agreed to continue oversight through existing governance routes until residual transfer, registration, audit, and closure actions are finalised. The Chief Officer will confirm the enduring arrangements for oversight of service performance, quality, risk, and financial reporting to the IJB by the December 2026 meeting.
Whistleblowing Update
The Board received an update on whistleblowing arrangements across the IJB. It was noted that no whistleblowing concerns relating to the IJB were reported through available routes during 2025/26. The Board endorsed further promotion of whistleblowing and speaking-up arrangements and instructed the Chief Officer to bring an annual assurance update report to the IJB, including awareness-raising activity and any learning arising.
Audited Final Accounts and External Audit Annual Report
The Board approved the Integration Joint Board's 2025/26 Audited Accounts for signature. The Interim Chief Finance Officer was instructed to submit these to NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Council, and to sign the representation letter. The Board considered the External Auditor's Annual Audit Report, noting the recommendations and management comments on the Annual Audit Report Action Plan. A management action plan prepared in response to the External Auditor's report was also noted, with progress to be monitored through the Risk, Audit and Performance Committee. The audited accounts reported an underspend of £11.231 million, with £7.704 million in uncommitted reserves.
Annual Performance Report
The Board commented on and approved the publication of the Annual Performance Report (APR) for 2025-26 on the ACHSCP website. The Chief Officer was instructed to present the approved APR to both Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian. The APR highlighted progress made in the first year of the Strategic Plan 2025-29, noting achievements in areas such as reduced emergency admissions, falls, and delayed discharges, reflecting the impact of initiatives like Discharge Without Delay. However, areas such as GP experience, readmissions, Care Inspectorate grades, and intensive care at home remained below the national average, and A&E four-hour performance declined, influenced by wider system pressures.
Other Matters
The Board also noted the dates of upcoming IJB Insights Sessions and the next IJB meeting. Standing items such as the Risk Appetite Statement, Declarations of Interest, and Exempt Business were also addressed. A video presentation on Discharge to Assess
was noted, highlighting its positive impact on patient recovery and hospital bed day avoidance. Minutes from previous meetings of the IJB and its committees, including the Risk, Audit and Performance Committee and the Clinical and Care Governance Committee, were also noted. The Business Planner and IJB Insights Planner were agreed, with some adjustments to scheduling. The Chief Officer's Report provided a summary of national, regional, and local updates, including the Programme for Government's proposed health board reforms and pressures on IJBs. The transfer of Bon Accord Care services was noted as progressing well, with eight of nine Care Inspectorate registrations completed. Whistleblowing arrangements were discussed, with an emphasis on promotion and assurance.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Draft Minute of Clinical and Care Governance Committee of 16 June 2026
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board noted the minute of the Clinical and Care Governance Committee of 16 June 2026 on 29 September 2026. The committee congratulated MH&LD services nursing staff on receiving accreditation from the American Nurses Association. The committee also resolved to include information on the new walk-in GP service at Aberdeen Health Village in the next GP sector report and to clarify if level 1 adverse events related to drug deaths.
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Draft Minute of Risk, Audit and Performance Committee of 25 August 2026
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board decided to note the minute on 29 September 2026.
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Video Presentation: Discharge to Assess
For DeterminationAberdeen City Integration Joint Board noted the video presentation on Discharge to Assess on 29 September 2026.
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Minute of Board Meeting of 30 June 2026 and Attendance Record
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board approved the minute of its previous meeting as a correct record. The Board also noted the attendance record for the meeting.
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There is no Exempt Business at this time.
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board decided to note that there was no exempt business on 29/09/2026.
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Welcome from the Chair
For DeterminationAberdeen City Integration Joint Board noted the Chair's remarks on 29/09/2026.
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Chief Officer's Report - HSCP.26.063
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board decided to note the detail contained within the report on 29 September 2026. The report provided an update on recent and upcoming activities of the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership.
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IJB Insights Planner
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board of Aberdeen City Council agreed the planner on 29 September 2026. The planner outlines future agenda items for the board, including Active Ageing, Programme for Government, Hosted Services, Primary Care, budget savings, Culture, Horizon Scanning, Finance, and the Medium Term Financial Framework.
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IJB Meetings -
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board decided to note the dates of the next Insights Sessions and IJB meeting. This decision was made on 29/09/2026.
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Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements
For DeterminationAberdeen City Integration Joint Board resolved to record declarations of interest and transparency statements in the meeting minutes. This decision was made on 29/09/2026.
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Annual Performance Report - HSCP.26.068
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board noted comments regarding background music in a promotional video, resolved to correct a figure in the annual report, and approved the publication of the Annual Performance Report 2025-26 on the ACHSCP website. The Chief Officer was instructed to present the approved report to Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian.
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Exempt Business
For DeterminationAberdeen City Integration Joint Board decided there was no Exempt Business on 29 September 2026.
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Minute of Risk, Audit and Performance Committee of 22 June 2026
For DeterminationThe Risk, Audit and Performance Committee resolved to approve the minute of its previous meeting on 24 February 2026. The committee also agreed to defer a Budget Update report to its August meeting and otherwise agreed the business planner.
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Progress on the Transfer of Bon Accord Care into Aberdeen City Council and ACHSCP: Quarter 1 2026/27 - HSCP.26.067
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board noted progress on the transfer of Bon Accord Care into Aberdeen City Council and agreed it had reasonable assurance of service delivery during the phased transfer of Care Inspectorate registrations on 29/09/2026. The Board agreed to continue oversight until residual transfer, registration, audit, and closure actions are complete. The Chief Officer will confirm enduring arrangements for oversight by the December 2026 meeting.
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Whistleblowing Update - HSCP.26.066
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board noted an update on whistleblowing arrangements and endorsed further promotion of these arrangements. The Chief Officer was instructed to circulate the ACHSCP iMatter report and bring an annual assurance update report to the board. The Business, Resilience and Comms Lead – ACHSCP was instructed to circulate information regarding whistleblowing routes for volunteers and unpaid carers.
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Business Planner
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board decided to agree to the removal of certain financial position updates, add an interim report on the drug and alcohol harm programme for December 2026, and otherwise agree the planner on 29 September 2026. The board agreed to remove financial position updates at lines 11, 13, and 20, and to add an interim report on the delivery plan for the Improving Aberdeen’s Response to Drug and Alcohol Harm programme for 1 December 2026.
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Audited Final Accounts and External Audit Annual Report - HSCP.26.065
For DeterminationThe Integration Joint Board approved the 2025/26 Audited Accounts for signature on 29 September 2026. They also instructed the Interim Chief Finance Officer to submit the accounts to NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Council and to sign the representation letter. The Board considered the External Auditor's Annual Audit Report and noted the management action plan, agreeing that progress would be monitored by the Risk, Audit and Performance Committee.
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