The Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) Integrated Care Partnership Committee convened to discuss several key issues, including approving recommendations related to the Carline tender and a pilot project, and endorsing the Adult Social Care Cash Budget Policy post-consultation report. The committee approved changes to the Cash Budget Policy, including funding for personal assistants and reinvestment of savings, and also endorsed the Better Care Fund Quarter 1 return. Additionally, members received updates on cardiovascular disease prevention, drug and alcohol treatment services, and winter preparedness.

Adult Social Care Cash Budget Policy

The committee endorsed the Adult Social Care Cash Budget Policy Post-Consultation Report and approved the Adult Care Cash Budgets Policy, effective from December 2025. This policy provides guidelines for cash budgets within the Adult Social Care directorate, ensuring consistency and equity. The committee also approved funding for personal assistants (PAs) procured via a cash budget, setting the rate at £16.67 per hour for new recipients from December 2025. Existing recipients will transition to this rate from April 2026, with a transitional funding payment of £3.00 per hour payable until April 2027.

In response to consultation feedback, the committee approved reinvesting a portion of the savings generated through changes to the funding model into a dedicated fund. This fund, amounting to £260,000 annually, will support recipients with complex needs who require paying PAs above the Real Living Wage. The committee also approved the procurement of a Personal Assistant Register via the G-Cloud framework for an estimated value of £115,000 over five years, and the commissioning of employer liability insurance for people employing PAs via a Light Touch procurement route, estimated at £156,800 over five years.

The reasons for the decision included:

• Improving equity in support funding.
• Supporting people with their employer responsibilities.
• Ensuring those funded by the council to provide care and support are funded at the Real Living Wage.

The report noted that a three-month public consultation had been undertaken regarding the new proposals and 56 responses were received, mainly supporting the changes.

Better Care Fund Reporting Template Q1

The committee approved the Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter 1 return for the borough of Rochdale, in line with grant conditions. The Assistant Director for Commissioning Adult Social Care and Prevention assured the committee that all grant conditions had been met. The Associate Director of Finance endorsed the report, highlighting the effective partnership working of the system delivery group, which meets fortnightly to scrutinise expenditure, align schemes and services, and address operational challenges.

Update on Careline Tender

The committee was updated on the outcome of the Carline tender that was undertaken in June-July 2025. During the discussion some concern was expressed regarding equality of access to the service, and about the use of a means testing approach to provision. The committee requested that the Assistant Director of Commissioning Adult Social Care and Prevention provide data in relation to user profile trends to the HMR Integrated Care Partnership Committee, and further explore measures to provide equitable access to the Careline service.

Strategic Priority Update - Cardiovascular Disease

The committee received an update on work being undertaken to support cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. The Public Health Specialist reported that Rochdale has a notably high prevalence of CVD, with cases concentrated in areas of deprivation exceeding the average rates across Greater Manchester. Currently there were 35,910 people on the hypertension pathway, with only 63.8% receiving treatment to target, indicating many people were at risk of severe complications. 12,000 patients had a CVNeed score above 5, suggesting poor management or higher risk due to demographic factors. Addressing these issues would improve health outcomes, reduce hospital admissions, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

The report noted that there are 35,910 patients on the GM hypertension pathway, with only 63.8% receiving treatment to target levels, indicating many are at risk of severe complications.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Group

The committee received a report providing an overview of drug and alcohol treatment services provided within Rochdale. The Public Health Commissioning and Improvement Manager noted a consistent increase in the numbers of people entering drug and alcohol treatment services over the last two years. Despite this, retention and successful completions remained below national averages, prompting targeted interventions.

The Director of Children's Services emphasised the need for targeted educational communications to raise awareness of the risks associated with ketamine use among young people and their families, as the rising use of ketamine among young people in recent years had become a significant public health concern.

Get to Know Where to Go Campaign

The committee received an update on the Get to Know Where to Go Urgent Care Communications Campaign in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, aimed at improving public awareness of where to access urgent and emergency services, thereby reducing unnecessary pressure on emergency departments. Several approaches were suggested to enhance public communication, including targeted leafleting, the creation of a digital smartphone app, and engagement through local ward councillors.

Winter Preparedness Assurance Report

The committee received a report providing an update on the Urgent Care Programme, with particular emphasis on winter planning arrangements. The Head of Urgent and Emergency Care reported that the locality winter planning process was dynamic, evolving in real time to reflect emerging pressures, system intelligence and operational feedback. The Associate Director of Finance advised a cautious approach to next year's funding in view of the ongoing financial pressures, and suggested that mitigation strategies be explored early in the planning process.

GM Verbal Update

The Place Lead and Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council echoed the Chair's sentiments and expressed his appreciation to Warren Heppolette for his continued support of the Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale locality.

It was noted that Mark Fisher, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Manchester would be retiring from his role at the end of March 2026.

The Place Lead commended those involved with the successful National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme bid and highlighted the potential to engage in national discussions amid the ongoing NHS reform process. In addition, the uncertainly faced by employees during the process was recognised, and it was reported that discussions with NHS England were continuing.