Agenda item

Presentation by Chief Finance Officer, Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group

The Chief Finance Officer, Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) gave a PowerPoint presentation which provided an update on Darlington CCG financial challenges and Impact on Services 2019/20 and beyond, outlining the utilisation of resources in 2018/19; expected outturn in 2019/20; the finance position as of October 2019; and the 2019/20 efficiency programme.

The breakdown of funding for services was outlined, the majority of spend for 2018/19 in the area of acute care; expected outturn for 2019/20 was comparable to the previous year but with a one per cent reduction in acute care; and the CCG was on track to deliver an in-year break-even position.

Details were provided on the 2019/20 Efficiency Programme, which had been developed to identify opportunities for efficiency; key areas for 2019/20 were in acute spend, GP prescribing in primary care, Estates utilisation and Continuing Healthcare; and the overall target saving was £2.33m. The efficiency target for 2020/21 was 1.1 per cent.

It was reported that the merger of Darlington CCG with Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees CCG and South Tees CCG would take effect from 1 April 2020; and a plan would be produced to combine the commissioned services of these three CCG’s.

Following a question, it was confirmed that the Tees Valley CCG would have an estimated budget over one billion pounds; commissioning staff would work across various bases; and the merger would allow for commissioning processes to be standardised across the Tees Valley region.

Discussion ensued regarding investment for mental health services and increased expenditure on GP prescribing. The Chief Finance Officer advised that mental health was an area identified for investment and that repeat prescribing would be reviewed to ensure their appropriateness.

RESOLVED – That the Chief Financial Officer be thanked for his interesting and informative presentation.