Stoke-on-Trent council and NHS work to resolve funding dispute

Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) are working collaboratively to address financial pressures stemming from reduced NHS funding for continuing healthcare (CHC) packages. The city council faced £2.25 million in cost pressures last year, expected to rise to £3.2 million in 2026/27, due to individuals' needs being deemed social care rather than healthcare.

According to a council report, Stoke-on-Trent has lower CHC funding rates compared to the national average, with its ICB ranked 40th out of 42 for CHC provision. This situation has increased costs for the city council and potentially for self-funding individuals.

Collaborating for Better Outcomes

Members of the city council's adult social care scrutiny committee have been informed that the council and ICB are developing a collaborative approach to meet vulnerable people's needs. This includes a joint funding protocol where costs are split 50:50 in borderline cases. Nichola Thompson, corporate director for adult social care, emphasised the importance of working together instead of contesting funding responsibilities.

Thompson said: “We’re trying to do things differently. We’ve now got a joint funding protocol where we share costs 50:50, which is really working.”

Councillor Sarah Hill highlighted the need for a national solution due to widespread issues with CHC funding. She stated: “Hopefully there will be a national answer to these issues, and certainly the new prime minister has made it a priority.”

Committee members have requested an update on the progress of this collaborative effort at a future meeting.

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