Developing and updating our JFP.

The One Devon Integrated Care Strategy has not been updated this year due to the extensive work already undertaken to develop it. The case for change, which underpins the strategy, was developed through a thorough and wide-reaching process in 2023. This involved significant engagement across system partners and the public, ensuring that the priorities set out remain relevant and reflective of local need. Given the depth of this work and the fact that the case for change is still current, a further update this year was deemed unnecessary. Additionally, the upcoming NHS 10-Year Plan will require a substantial review and revision of our strategy in 2025/26. Instead, our focus this year remains on delivering against the existing strategy while preparing for the future changes ahead.

Each workstream section of the plan highlights the ICS aims it supports, ensuring a clear and consistent thread throughout.

In 2024/25, workstream leads engaged with relevant stakeholders to refresh their high-level delivery plans. These updates have been reviewed by the Joint Forward Plan Steering Group and One Devon Leadership Delivery Group (SLG) to ensure alignment current strategic and operational priorities.

There is an immediate need to recover Devon’s financial and performance position to ensure a sustainable system going forward and this need is reflected throughout our plan. This year’s JFP references the newly established Transforming Devon Programme, set up in-year to support system recovery. Each high-level delivery plan outlines both short- and longer-term objectives to support recovery and prioritises the actions we need to take individually and collaboratively to exit NOF4.

The JFP is a system-wide plan. It reflects our commitment to working collaboratively and in partnership to deliver system ambitions. However, it is important to acknowledge that statutory duties remain with individual organisations.

There are also specific statutory duties that NHS Devon must deliver as part of its legal responsibilities. These duties are incorporated throughout the plan and are referenced specifically in Appendix A.

Getting the system in balance

NHS recovery

There is an immediate need to recover both the financial and performance position for Devon to ensure a sustainable health system going forward. To meet the requirements set out in the latest operational planning guidance, NHS partners in Devon must develop plans that are affordable within the 2025/26 allocations and demonstrate that all opportunities to improve productivity and reduce waste have been fully explored.

Providers in Devon will need to significantly reduce their cost base and improve their overall productivity in 2025/26.

When prioritising resources to best meet the health needs of our local population, we need to consider both the in-year and medium-term impacts on quality, finance, and population health as different options are identified and developed.

NHS Devon and 3 of our acute hospital trusts remain in Segment 4 of the NHS National Oversight Framework (NOF4). Exiting NOF4 will require improvements in leadership, strategy, Urgent and Emergency and Elective care performance as well as Finance.

Key financial challenges for 2025/26 include:

• Delivery of financial balance (post-deficit support).
• Delivery of a challenging cost improvement programme.
• Improvement to underlying financial positions.
• Measuring and mapping productivity improvements.
• Delivery of capital plans.

The Transforming Devon programme has been established to support the delivery of strategic, system-level financial recovery opportunities. In addition to this, each NHS organisation will lead recovery within its own organisation, while also working collaboratively across organisational boundaries to implement system-wide solutions where they are most effective.

Local authority recovery

Devon County Council

Our overriding focus is to meet the needs of the young, old and most vulnerable across Devon.  We will work closely with our One Devon partners to support and develop the local health and care system, to help support the local economy, improve job prospects and housing opportunities for local people.  We will respond to climate change, champion opportunities and improve services and outcomes for children and young people, support care market sustainability, and address the impacts of the rising cost of living for those hardest hit.

With key local partners we will continue to quality assure, benchmark and improve how we do things.  So we can continue to deliver vital local services and improve outcomes for the people of Devon as efficiently and effectively as we can with a focus on strengthening partnerships and evidencing. The level of commitment from teams, working together as one organisation has been vital. 

The level of assurance that has been involved in the budget-setting process, mean that the 2024/25 budget is as robust as possible and will deliver best value for the people of Devon.

Plymouth City Council

Plymouth City Council is ambitious in its vision and objectives for the City.  It is committed to ensuring that services to children and vulnerable adults, the provision of affordable housing and helping those affected by homelessness continue to be key priorities. Like all Councils, we have continued to see big increases in our costs and rising demand for our homelessness and social care services for the elderly, vulnerable adults, and children. We spend around 83% of our total revenue budget on these vital services.

Within Adult Social care we are working with partners to respond proactively to shifting demand and regulatory expectations, ensuring services adapt to meet these evolving needs. The new Colwill and The Vine facilities, expected in May 2026, will expand day and respite services, reducing the need for high-cost out-of-area placements.  

The Council is committed to continuous improvement as we look to the future. The challenges ahead remain substantial, but we are determined to meet them head-on. Through a Prevention-First Strategy including focusing on early identification and intervention, leveraging AI and data insights, and building resilience through community partnerships, we will fundamentally shift how services are designed and delivered.  We are now building a prevention programme focussing on children’s social care, homelessness and adult services.

Torbay

Torbay’s approach to Adult Social Care (ASC) is a long-standing integrated approach between Torbay Council and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust – working closely with the local Community and Voluntary Sector.

ASC faces significant financial challenges, given the forecast shortfall and rising cost and demand. Going forward, we are continuing with our extensive transformation plan which focuses on:

• Expanding the role of digital in our ASC, especially through our front door.
• Promoting independence through reablement and intermediate care.
• A new Target Operating Model.
• Enhanced market shaping and promoting the role of housing with a particular focus on working age adults.
• Close working with the Community and Voluntary Sector, through our Community Wellbeing contract.

Our Joint Forward Plan

Vision

Aims

Programme Themes