This report seeks approval for a set of proposed strategic integration objectives for Health & Social Care partners across Berkshire West; together with proposals for redesigned governance and staffing arrangements (collectively titled the Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership / BWICP) that will help to deliver these strategic objectives.

The Executive Director of Social Care and Health submitted a report that sought approval for proposals for redesigned governance and staffing arrangements (collectively titled the Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership (BWIP)) that would help to deliver a set of proposed strategic integration objectives for Health and Social Care partners across West Berkshire.  The following documents are attached to the report:

·         Appendix A - Berkshire West Governance (Executive Summary)

·         Appendix B - Berkshire West Governance (Summary Report)

·         Appendix C - Berkshire West Governance (Main Report)

The report noted that there were currently a range of governance boards and bodies across Berkshire West in respect of integration, and explained that it had been agreed that the Berkshire West 10 Integration Programme (BW10) and the Berkshire West Integrated Care System (BWICS) be combined. This had been further reinforced by the findings of the CQC System Review in Reading in late 2018.  The documents attached to the report set out proposals for a new governance structure; these had been considered by a number of extant groups across Berkshire West, and were now being brought through the relevant formal processes for final approval.

The report explained that key points arising from the merger of the two programmes included a greater role envisaged for Councillors, with their attendance being required at meetings of the proposed Leadership Board, and that the proposed staffing changes would, while releasing funds for reallocation at an amount to be confirmed, reduce Reading’s integration staffing establishment from three FTE posts to one FTE post, potentially limiting the number of integration projects carried out at local level.

The report also asked the Committee to approve the following proposed strategic objectives for the Partnership’s 2019/20 work programme, as set out in Appendix C:

1.    An improvement in the health and wellbeing of our population;

2.    Enhancement of patient experience and outcomes;

3.    Financial sustainability for all constituent organisations.

Resolved –

(1)     That the strategic objectives outlined in Appendix C attached to the report be approved as the basis of the Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership work programme in 2019/20;

(2)     That the Governance arrangements and structure for the Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership, as outlined in Appendix C (at figures 1 and 2 respectively) attached to the report, be agreed;

(3)     That Terms of Reference for the Governance Boards and Groups, as outlined in Appendices 5a and 5c of Appendix C attached to the report, be adopted;

(4)     That the principles for resourcing the Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership, as detailed in Section 5 of the report be agreed.