Dorset’s health and wellbeing board has been told it needs to tighten up on some of its processes and procedures.
Patricia Miller, from Dorset NHS, said she was uncomfortable about how the county’s Better Care Fund was signed off by officers and sent to Government, and only then was open to discussion by committee members.
“I think we need to find a way, even if it’s only the health and wellbeing board agreeing it virtually (online) because its very difficult to assure and scrutinise something which has already been signed off and sent to Government. We need to think about that,” she said.
The Care Fund partially deals with avoiding and reducing hospital admission and assuring that discharges from hospital are timely and that those who leave hospital are supported to stay at their own home.
Ms Miller said she would also like the board to be clearer about the problems the Care Fund was trying to solve and analyse if it was being effective in the way it was doing its job and whether or not it provided value for money.
“We need to tighten up some of our processes and governance, so you are clear as a health and wellbeing board what actually is being delivered as part of its investment and what impact it is having on the community,” said Ms Miller.
Cllr Steve Robinson, Lib Dem councillor for Lytchett Matravers and Upton, was elected chair of the health and wellbeing board. Cllr Robinson is also the portfolio holder on the council’s Cabinet for adult social care.