Introduction
This consultation is about the proposed Section 75 agreement between North Yorkshire Council and Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board for the provision of an Integrated Community Equipment Service. West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board will also be party to this agreement, but only for services provided to people living in North Yorkshire.
We would like any comments or feedback you have on North Yorkshire Council and Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Boards’ proposal to enter a joint working arrangement – the Section 75 agreement - for the commissioning and contracting arrangements for the integrated community equipment service.
Section 75 agreements are made between local authorities and NHS bodies and can include arrangements for pooling resources and delegating certain NHS and local authority health-related functions to the other partner/s. The aim of which is to integrate health and social care services to improve the experience and outcomes for people who need community equipment. By working together, we can provide better support for individuals in our community, promoting independence and improving quality of life.
Community equipment is prescribed by health and social care workers and is provided to the person on loan - things like commodes, shower stools, raised toilet seats, hoist equipment and hospital /profiling beds. The community equipment service provides this equipment to adults, children, and young people who have health conditions, disabilities, and/or challenges with mobility. This enables people to be as independent as possible and helps parents and carers in their caring role. The contract for the community equipment service covers the delivery, installation, service, repair, collection, and recycling of this equipment.
The service is for people who are ordinarily resident in North Yorkshire Council boundaries (paying council tax within North Yorkshire) requiring social care equipment, and people registered with a GP practice within the boundaries below requiring health equipment:
- York Health and Care Partnership
- North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership
- NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (Craven)
Background
The Integrated Community Equipment Service for North Yorkshire is currently commissioned by the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board on behalf of North Yorkshire Council. Starting in April 2025, we propose that North Yorkshire Council assumes the lead commissioning role.
According to the Care and Support Statutory Guidance issued under the Care Act (June 2014), local authorities must promote integration between care and support services and health-related services to join up services. Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 allows NHS bodies and local authorities to align or pool budgets and integrate services.
This Section 75 agreement will enable the joint commissioning and provision of community equipment services. The objectives are to:
- enable health and social care to work together to provide timely and appropriate community equipment to those in need
- promote independence and reduce the need for more intensive care services
- ensure value for money through joint commissioning and aligned budgets
- improve the lived experience and outcomes for people with care and support needs
Governance and accountability
We will be the lead commissioner for the service. This means we will procure the service from the independent sector market and will manage the contract on behalf of the Integrated Care Board.
The Integrated Care Board and ourselves will establish a small integrated, multidisciplinary community equipment team to be jointly responsible for the development and day to day management of the service. This team will bring together colleagues from the Integrated Care Board and ourselves.
A joint equipment management group will oversee the implementation and operation of the integrated community equipment contract and the Section 75 Agreement. This group will include representatives from both the local authority and the Integrated Care Boards and will report upwards to the joint Health and Care Management Group and, ultimately, the North Yorkshire Place Board. Regular meetings will be held to review performance, address issues, and ensure compliance.
Financial arrangements
The Integrated Care Board and ourselves will align budgets for the Integrated Community Equipment Service and work together with the provider to ensure the best possible value for money.
Detailed financial arrangements, including budget, expenditure, and financial reporting, will be specified in the Section 75 agreement. Both parties will share the financial risks and benefits associated with service provision.
Monitoring and evaluation
The performance of community equipment services will be monitored using key performance indicators agreed upon by all parties. Regular reports will be generated to assess service performance, identify areas for improvement, and guide discussions on compliance, performance, and value for money.
Consultation process
We welcome feedback from all stakeholders, including users of community equipment, carers, healthcare professionals and community organisations, regarding our intention to enter into a Section 75 agreement. Your feedback is valuable in helping us develop a service that truly meets the needs of our community.
How to respond
You can request further information, copies of the full draft agreement or submit any feedback by 29 March 2025 by emailing us at ICE@northyorks.gov.uk