This meeting included several significant discussions on Edinburgh’s health and social care services. In particular, there were three items relating to the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership’s (EHSCP) financial position and three items on the Older People’s Pathway Programme. In addition to this, the Integration Joint Board (IJB) were due to discuss their governance handbook.

Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership’s finances

A report was included for discussion on the EHSCP's Medium-term financial strategy update. This set out the EHSCP’s projected financial position for the next four years.

To agree to ask that partners work collaboratively to produce proposals for increasing the IJB’s recurring funding to reduce the structural budget deficit ready for the financial year 25/26

The IJB were due to review preparations for Winter 2024/25. This included a progress report on the uptake of flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, funding for additional staff capacity for community respiratory pathways over the winter months, and updates on other measures designed to mitigate the risk of an overwhelmed health service.

Funding available to support specific winter pressures this year is significantly less than in previous years. By necessity, ‘Mission Critical Bids for Winter Funding’, put forward for the consideration of the NHS Lothian Unscheduled Care (USC) Tactical Committee were required to have extremely clearly defined and deliverable benefits

The IJB were asked to consider the implications of additional Scottish Government investment into Unscheduled Care.

Older People’s Pathway Programme

An update on the Older People’s Pathway Programme was presented to the IJB. The report included proposals for the reprovisioning of Liberton Hospital, the development of a brokerage service for care home placements, a cost of care exercise to set affordable rates for care home placements, and an update on capital investment and infrastructure for bed-based care.

The reprovision of Liberton hospital is in the implementation phase. All affected staff have been consulted through the Workforce Organisational Change process resulting in 7 staff being displaced.

The IJB was asked to review a Progress report in relation to the Older People’s Pathway Programme that had been deferred from the previous meeting.

A report on the outcomes of a feasibility study, undertaken on the twelve potential uses for the former Drumbrae Care Home, was presented to the IJB.

EIJB Governance Handbook

The IJB was asked to approve the latest version of the EIJB Governance Handbook, which had been previously considered by the Audit and Assurance Committee.

The EIJB agreed its governance handbook on 16 November 2023. The handbook is a practical reference guide for the EIJB covering a range of governance themes designed in short sections, that can be used for continual board development.

Third Sector Commissioning

The IJB was due to consider an update on third sector commissioning for 2025/26.

In line with the Board’s decision to defer a decision on the future of the Grants Programme until December, this paper sets out the proposed approach to engagement and consultation with third sector partners on future funding arrangements.

Edinburgh Safer Drug Consumption Facility and Edinburgh Drug Checking Service

The IJB was due to consider an update on plans to provide an Edinburgh Safer Drug Consumption Facility (SDCF) and an Edinburgh Drug Checking Service (DCS).

Deputations

Sixteen deputations were scheduled to be heard at the beginning of the meeting.

Appointments to the EIJB and its Committees

The IJB was asked to note the resignation of Helen Fitzgerald as a non-voting staff-side representative for NHS Lothian and appoint Heather Gilfillan to that role. The IJB was also asked to appoint Heather Gilfillan to the Performance and Delivery Committee as a non-voting member.

The IJB was asked to note the resignation of Emma Reynish as a non-voting member and Registered medical practitioner not providing primary medical services and appoint Dr Andrew Coull to that role. The IJB was also asked to appoint Marion Findley to the Strategic Planning Group as a non-voting member, representing Third sector bodies carrying out activities related to health care or social care.

EIJB Risk Register

The IJB was due to consider an update on its Risk Register

The purpose of this report is to present the latest iteration of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) risk register for endorsement.

Response to the Monitoring Officer report on conflicting legal obligations

The IJB were due to consider a report responding to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Monitoring Officer’s report on conflicting legal obligations, that had been referred from the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee.

The report sets out the operating context for the Council’s homelessness service, the risk profiles and data supporting decision making over the use of temporary accommodation, and the emerging pressures and risks from UK and Scottish Government legislation and policy.