Agenda and minutes

There were none at this meeting.

Dr Charles Pidsley, Co Chair of the Board, informed Members of his forthcoming retirement. The new Co Chair will be Dr Alison Bradley.  Dr Rachel Gallyot attended the meeting in advance of representing East Staffs CCG on the Board at future meetings.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting held on 8 Match 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

There were no questions from the public.

Vicky Rowley, Commissioning Manager, Older People, and Dave Sugden, Commissioning Manager, Strategy and Policy

In March 2018 Staffordshire County Council and the Health and Wellbeing Board (H&WB) launched a public conversation called Dying Matters, Staffordshire. The aim of the campaign was to facilitate dialogue and discussion with the public about the importance of planning for their own end of life experiences and to encourage all adults, not just those with advanced long-term conditions, to start discussing dying, death and their own final wishes.

The public conversation included a media campaign, roadshow, meetings and events which were all aimed to inform and to prompt discussion. The emphasis of this work was planned to coincide with the national Dying Matters Awareness Week (14-18 May), with a large number of events planned to raise awareness, including an online webinar on 15 May led by Rev David Primrose.

The campaign had been particularly successful in the partnership approach used to increase engagement. The Board commended the campaign for its successful use of existing structures to help widen its reach and broaden engagement.

Following the success of this campaign it was suggested that a similar approach be used for the 2018/19 conversation with a focus on digital technologies to support and enhance personal responsibility for health and related areas.

RESOLVED: That,

a)    the success of the Dying Matters, Staffordshire, public conversation be noted; and

b)    the next scheduled public conversation focus be digital innovation in relation to health.

Divya Patel, Senior Public Health Epidemiologist

Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA) have been a statutory responsibility jointly held by upper tier local authorities and the NHS since 2007. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 upper tier local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were given equal and joint responsibility to produce JSNAs.

Over the last year the JSNA had highlighted issues around: smoking in pregnancy; violent crime; and self-harm.

The aim of a JSNA is to provide an evidence base that identifies issues in relation to current and future health, well-being and care. To ensure JSNAs remain relevant and are able to inform strategy and service commissioning a review of the data provided was timely.

The children’s data had already been refreshed in line with the strategy and delivery plan. It was necessary to review the adult JSNA  data and Board Members agreed that this review should mirror the process followed for the children’s data.

It was suggested that the review could be undertaken by a working group, with an initial meeting being followed by virtual information sharing and discussion.

RESOLVED: That:

a)    a working group be established to identify priorities for, and oversee production of, the JSNA. Members will be emailed after the meeting to seek nominations to the working group;

b)    a H&WB member lead the working group. Members to be contacted after the meeting to seek nominations;

c)    the issues highlighted to the Board over the last year be noted.

Jon Topham, Senior Commissioning Manager, Public Health

The Health and Wellbeing Strategy had a focus on keeping people healthier for longer. The Strategy looked at extending healthy life years and had four key areas of activity:

·         Healthy environments

·         Supportive communities

·         Voice/conversations

·         Data and digital

Relating to this work Members noted that there is the Physical Activities Working Group and the Family Strategic Partnership Board.

Following consultation, results were encouraging (although the public consultation was still ongoing). So far results showed that the Strategy and operational framework aligned with public perception. Key areas of action identified to date were: giving people access to their wellbeing information; clear and consistent messaging; better co-ordination of services; improved information and advice; and, recognise the barriers to change. The Strategy aimed to encourage individuals to take responsibility for making a positive difference to their own health and wellbeing.

The Strategy and its direction of travel were aligned with the STP.

RESOLVED: That:

a)    the Strategy be approved;

b)    the consultation findings be noted;

c)    the direction of travel and alignment with the STP and the stronger strategic and leadership role with regard to prevention be noted; and,

d)    the delivery consideration be noted.

Jon Topham, Senior Commissioning Manager

Following the H&WB development session in May the proposed focus for the Board will be to act as the strategic body with responsibility for prevention. This would ensure delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the STP Prevention Workshop through an appropriate Action Plan, with assurance of progress directly as well as through subgroups such as the Family Strategic Partnership Board.

The Board also offered a democratic voice for the STP via the councillor representatives, reflecting what the Staffordshire population they represent may or may not accept and acting as a democratic sounding board. County, District and Borough Councillors had a community leadership role and could act as useful enablers in disseminating information and discussing issues. Each H&WB member also had a role to play in sharing information and championing H&WB issues within the organisations they represent.

Discussions were taking place between Stoke and Staffordshire H&WBs to develop closer working, with the possibility of establishing  a committee in common to avoid duplication of discussion of STP issues. Ultimately it was hoped to bring the two Boards together in the future.

A key strength of the Board was the wide range of partners represented. It was proposed to review membership to ensure members and their organisations were able to contribute to the prevention agenda of the H&WB.

RESOLVED: That:

a)    the proposed revised focus for the Board be noted;

b)    a review of the terms of reference, membership and agenda format be agreed; and

c)    a role description for members be developed.

Karen Bryson, Assistant Director, Public Health & Protection

The Health and Wellbeing Strategy had an aspiration, “to help people stay as well as they can to reduce the growing pressure on services”, the key outcome being more people living beyond 64 in good health. An Action Plan had been developed as the delivery plan for the Strategy, whilst also serving as the delivery plan for the County Council’s Public Health and Prevention agenda as well as the STP’s Prevention work stream.

Members received an outline of the Action Plan which identified: six population groups; six enabling priorities for action; and outcomes and performance indicators.

An amendment was requested to explicitly include alcohol in the schematic alongside substance misuse and smoking.

The actions identified would not be tackled at the same time but were an emerging and rolling programme of work tackled both by Public Health and partner organisations. The initial work would be around the 40-60 age group and the use of digital data and technologies.

RESOLVED: That:

a)    the outline of the H&WB Action Plan be endorsed as the delivery plan for the H&WB Strategy;

b)    the plan be developed in more detail;

c)    the H&WB oversee the implementation and assure progress;

d)    Board Members ensure the organisations they represent understand the Plan and play an active role in its implementation.

Helen Riley, Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Families & Communities

The Families Strategic Partnership (FSP) had produced it’s first Annual Report which monitored progress in delivering the Staffordshire’s Children, Young People and Families Strategy.  The Report detailed the activities of the FSP during 2017/18 and gave a high-level overview of key activities to be undertaken during 2018/19. In particular the Report highlighted the FSP contribution towards delivery of the following three H&WB priorities:

·         Starting Well – every child has the best possible start in life to reduce differences in the quality of people’s health and wellbeing in the future;

·         Growing Well – children and young people are supported to reach their potential so that they can have greater control over their lives; and

·         Living Well – children, young people and adults are supported to make good lifestyle choices.

The Board heard details of the FSP work around earliest help. It also heard of the work around the place based approach and the specific work in Tamworth around early identification of risks and the work to mitigate these using cross agency and third sector approaches.

Children and young peoples’ emotional health and wellbeing was a key current issue, particularly in respect of the effects of bullying and misuse of social media. A presentation shared with the FSP on JSNA data of children’s emotional wellbeing would be shared with Board members after the meeting for their information.

Whilst the Annual report was welcomed the Board suggested a glossary of terms would be a helpful addition.

RESOLVED : That the FSP Annual Report 2017/18 be endorsed and that their contribution towards delivery of the three H&WB priorities listed above be acknowledged.

Andy Marriott, Lead Commissioner, All Age Disability Team

The Whole Life Disability Strategy 2018-2023 set out the Council’s vision for people with disabilities of all ages in Staffordshire. The Strategy built upon approaches advocated in Staffordshire’s previous disability strategy “Living My Life My Way” and redefined the role of the Council in meeting the needs for the next five years to 2023.

The new Strategy took account of changes in legislation, including the Care Act 2014, the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017.

Key themes for the new Strategy were around ability not disability and building on strengths. There was an aim to provide value for money services that met needs. Choice would be offered but not at any price. It was important to ensure a clear offer to provide clarity, certainty and consistency.

Scrutiny of the new Strategy would be undertaken by County Council Select Committees. A joint meeting of the Safe and Strong Communities, Healthy Staffordshire and Prosperous Staffordshire Select Committees had been held on 30 May and these committees would scrutinise implementation of the Strategy going forward. The H&WB requested that they be kept informed of progress and developments in implementing the Strategy as appropriate.

Members also noted:

·         the sensitivity of these changes and the need to reassure those who have previously accessed services through the changes being developed;

·         the collaborative approach and the provision of services through the voluntary sector;

·         difficulties in developing the market place in the north of the County. The question was raised as to the extent of the community provision for support and would it be adequate;

·         changes helping to avoid social isolation;

·         the level of special school provision in Staffordshire when compared with other local authorities. Was there national guidance to direct Local Authorities towards an increase in provision or move to integration with mainstream education;

·         the concern was raised that there should be review of both speed of assessments for support and response to the findings of those assessments; and

·         that existing safeguards giving right of appeal against decisions were if anything strengthened to ensure people with disability were not left without vital support.

RESOLVED : That the comments raised be considered in the preparation of the final version of the Strategy to help inform the final Cabinet decision in June 2018.

The following items were included on the agenda for information only:

·         Health in All Polices Update

·         Physical Activity Sub-Group

·         JSNA Outcomes Report – Quarterly Update

On considering the Forward Plan  the following additions were suggested:

·         Children’s mental health

·         BCF

·         End of Life

·         Strategy consultation results and delivery plan

·         Terms of reference, governance and membership

·         Place based approach for both children and adults

·         JSNA working group update

RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan be noted.

Co-Chair Alan White paid tribute to Dr Charles Pidsley and his work as a member and Co-Chair of the H&WB. Board Members endorsed his comments and wished Dr Pidsley well in his future retirement.