Agenda item

2.35 p.m.

To update on the establishment of BOB-ICS.

The Board considered a report entitled “Defining the BOB-ICS Development Roadmap” by the ICS Development Board and Amanda Lyons, Interim Director of Strategy and Partnerships.

The report comprised an Executive Summary and slide presentation which was presented by Diane Hedges, Deputy Chief Executive, OCCG.

In the subsequent discussion, the following points were raised.

(a)  In response to questions about democracy and delegated authority within the structure of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and public consultation on the transition of the CCG functions and the way in which the NHS was changing the way in which it operated, Ms Hedges stated that –

(i)    The role of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Council’s various scrutiny processes, Place-based Partnerships, and Provider Collaboratives were pivotal in the democratic and decision-making process. In addition, the governance structures of the OCCG would be incorporated into the structure of the ICB and delegated authority to the Place-based Partnerships and Provider Collaboratives would enable greater integration of the system.

(ii)   Historically, unless there was an issue that fired the public imagination, engagement in public consultation exercises tended to be low and it was difficult to know how to engage the public on issues of governance. However, the development of the Integrated Care Strategy (ICS) and the assurances given in the roadmap may provide the opportunity for a meaningful consultation.

(b)  Oxford Healthwatch noted they had recently had a webinar for Patient Participant Groups (PPG’s) where Catherine Mountford, Director of Governance, OCCG, had participated. As the presentation contained many acronyms, it was difficult to gauge the level of comprehension and understanding of participants. However, Oxford Healthwatch would continue to engage with the public on the proposals.

(c)   Stephen Chandler, Interim Chief Executive, OCC, noted that the creation of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) presented opportunities as well as risks and that essential to the success of the ICS was the work undertaken by the Health and Wellbeing Board and others to engage with the ICS. In addition, he noted that –

·       There were financial checks and balances which prevented the Council from arbitrarily changing the Council’s agreed Health and Social Care budget;

·       It was proposed that the vehicle for “Shared Outcomes”, as set out in the government White Paper, “Working together to improve health and social care for all”[1] would be the ICB and local authorities;

·       That Shared Outcomes were critical to several OCC services and, therefore, it was essential that the Health and Wellbeing Board was kept updated by the ICS Development Board and was consulted on ICS Strategy Development and the System Development Plan (SDP).

·       Keeping the Health and Wellbeing Board and OCC involved in the process, would allay some of the concerns expressed about democracy and delegated authority within the structure of the ICB.

(d)  The Chair proposed that there should be an update report to the next meeting of the Board and that there was a requirement for more detailed discussions about matters such as the operation of the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP).

(e)  Referring to the timeline on Page 63 of the agenda pack, Ms Hedges stated that many of the BOB-ICS Development Roadmap Key Outcomes were scheduled for July 2022. Consequently, it was uncertain how much detail could be provided in an update report to the Board at its next meeting on 7 July 2022.

(f)    The Chair noted that there would be ongoing discussions between the ICS Development Board and Local Authorities. However, she stated it would be useful to have an update to the next meeting of the Board to reassure Members of the Board that things were progressing accordingly.

NOTED