Health and social care integration report.
The Better Care Fund (BCF) is a pooled budget that shifts resources into social care and community services for the benefit of the NHS and local government.
The National Audit Office warns that progress with integration of health and social care has, to date, been slower and less successful than envisaged and has not delivered all of the expected benefits for patients, the NHS or local authorities. As a result, the government’s plan for integrated health and social care services across England by 2020 is at significant risk.
“Integrating the health and social care sectors is a significant challenge in normal times, let alone times when both sectors are under such severe pressure. So far, benefits have fallen far short of plans, despite much effort. It will be important to learn from the over-optimism of such plans when implementing the much larger NHS sustainability and transformation plans.The Departments do not yet have the evidence to show that they can deliver their commitment to integrated services by 2020, at the same time as meeting existing pressures on the health and social care systems.”
Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, 8 February 2017
This is not the first time there has been criticism of the Better Care Fund.
See also:
Better Care Fund failing carers says Carers Trust report
Public Accounts Commttee report: Planning for the Better Care Fund