The Better Care Fund was announced in 2013 by
central government with the aim to support the transformation and
integration of health and social care services. It is a pooled
budget arrangement intended to benefit Sandwell
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 23/10/2023
Decision due: 18 Oct 2023 by Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care
Lead director: Director Adult Social Care
Contact: Ant Lloyd Email: ant_lloyd@sandwell.gov.uk.
Implications: Resources: The funding for this service comes from the Better Care Fund and paid for on a block basis. This funding has been agreed at the 27 July Joint Partnership Board meeting. The value of 10 Enhanced Assessment Nursing beds for the period 15 January 2024 to 31st March 2025 is: £598,670.90 (which is calculated using the 23/24 nursing EAB rate plus 5% uplift. The uplift to be applied is not known yet so 5% is used as an indicative amount). The bed rates for Enhanced Assessment Beds are agreed through the Joint Partnership Board and are subject to an annual review. The uplift to the bed rate mirrors the % uplift for standard rate nursing dementia that is agreed. A paper is taken to the JPB to ratify the decision each year. There are no anticipated human resource implications for the Council arising from the award of the Agreements. There are no implications for the Council’s material assets. Legal and Governance: The service proposed to be contracted falls under