The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to receive updates on the performance of the Better Care Fund for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 financial year and to be informed about the consultation process for the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

Better Care Fund Performance Update - Q4 2024-25

The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to receive an update on the performance and finances of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for the period of January to March 2025. The BCF is a key funding stream designed to support people in living healthy, independent lives by integrating health, social care, and housing services. The report was intended to provide an overview of Bromley's performance against BCF metrics, updates on service expenditure and activity, and progress against key activities delivered by BCF-funded services.

The report indicated that Bromley had performed well against targets for avoidable admissions and falls-related hospital admissions in the 2024-25 period. However, performance for discharge to usual place of residence was slightly below the projected target, and the number of residential admissions for older people was also slightly lower than projected.

The Better Care Fund operates under a policy framework that aims to improve hospital discharge, reduce pressure on urgent and emergency care and social care, and support intermediate care. The funding for the BCF comes from the NHS South East London ICB and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The report noted a total underspend of £397,000 on the BCF and Disabled Facilities Grant for 2024-25, which would be carried forward into the next financial year.

Key initiatives discussed within the BCF update included the development of integrated neighbourhood teams, which aim to improve population health and wellbeing through prevention and personalised care, and to deliver high-quality care closer to home. The report also detailed progress on enabling people to stay well and independent at home for longer, including investments in domiciliary care, early intervention and prevention services, and a Housing with Care Strategy. Furthermore, the report outlined plans to provide the right care in the right place at the right time, with ongoing development of hospital discharge arrangements and a focus on early intervention and prevention for frailty.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Consultation

The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to be informed about the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for 2025-2028, which was ready to go out for a statutory 60-day consultation. The PNA is a requirement under the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013, which mandates the Health and Wellbeing Board to publish a statement of needs for pharmaceutical services every three years.

Following the consultation period, a report detailing the comments received and the steering group's responses would be compiled for inclusion in the final PNA. The final PNA was scheduled to be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board in September 2025, prior to its publication on 1 October 2025. The report indicated that there were no significant financial, personnel, or property implications associated with this item.