Agenda and minutes

Councillors J Blakey and W Stelling (Durham County Council)

Councillors S Akers-Belcher (Hartlepool Borough Council)

Councillors E Dryden and J Walker (Middlesbrough Council)

Councillors J Blackie and J Clark (North Yorkshire County Council)

Councillors N Cooney and M Ovens

Councillor A Mitchell (Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council)

Councillors O Temple (Durham County Council)

None recorded.

To receive and approve the minutes of the meeting of the Better Health Programme Joint Health Scrutiny Committee held on 19 January 2017.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2017 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to the inclusion of Councillor R Martin Wells as being in attendance.

To consider the attached report of the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Durham County Council and presentations by representatives of local authority Directors of Public Health and Social Care.

Consideration was given to the report of the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Durham County Council which referenced previous presentations made to the Better Health Programme Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee in respect of the process of developing the Better Health Programme and the overarching Durham, Darlington, Teesside, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby STP.

During the course of these presentations, the Committee had asked for confirmation of and details regarding the involvement of local authority public health and Social Care service providers in the development of the BHP and STP.

Members were advised that representatives from the local authorities within the BHP footprint were in attendance to provide the Committee with a series of presentations which set out the involvement of local authority public health and social care directors in drafting the Durham, Darlington and Teesside; Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby STP and the neighbourhoods and communities’ element of the Better Health programme. The presentations also included information on the progress of addressing how health and social care services were being integrated to ensure that there is a seamless care pathway from the acute hospital to community and neighbourhood based provision.

(i)           South Tees System Integration – Keeping People Healthy

Edward Kunonga, Director of Public Health, Middlesbrough Borough Council gave a presentation regarding the South Tees system Integration programme. Reference was made to the establishment of a Regional STP Prevention Group covering both STPs which sought to address health and wellbeing gaps and promoted the upscaling of ill-health prevention and health promotion across the North East. The group included key representatives from within local authority public health, Public Health England, NHS Acute Hospitals Foundation Trusts, Fire and Rescue Services and the community and voluntary sector.

The South Tees system Integration programme set out primary and secondary prevention targeted at population, organisations, community and individual levels. Edward Kunonga explained the references to primary, secondary and tertiary interventions as being before any signs of ill health (Primary); identifying those at risk of developing or in the early stages of illness (Secondary) and after an acute injury or illness (Tertiary).

The presentation set out a number of examples of such prevention projects and reference was made to the context of delivering such prevention activity against the backdrop of a range of wider determinants of health which included education, employment, environment and housing factors.

Specific reference was made to the Middlesbrough Prevention Strategy for Adults and Older People currently out for consultation and to a similar strategy proposed for Redcar and Cleveland.

Assurances were given to the Committee that similar work was being developed across the Region.

The presentation concluded with examples of the metrics identified to gauge the success of outcomes from the prevention strategies and projects together with health summary statistics for Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland boroughs.

Cllr J Robinson referred to joint work that was being undertaken within County Durham by the County Council and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue service in respect of initiatives such as home safety visits  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the attached report of the Better Health Programme Board.

Consideration was given to the report of Edmund Lovell, Communications and Engagement lead for the Better Health Programme which outlined preparations for the development of a communications and engagement plan to support statutory public consultation for the Better Health Programme.

The report set out the context within which consultation in respect of the Better Health Programme would take place, including the relationship between the BHP and the Durham, Darlington, Teesside, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby STP.  The public consultation would now take place from September 2017 to avoid the summer period.

Members were reminded that the NHS Act 2006 (as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012) sets out duties for CCGs around involvement and consultation. As such, NHS organisations have to ensure that patients and the public are properly involved in the planning and development of health services. They must also consult with the relevant local authorities’ overview and scrutiny committees over any changes which could be considered to be substantial variations in the way services are provided. Organisations must also ensure that engagement and consultation activities are in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Mr Lovell indicated that when planning any service changes NHS organisations must also undergo a comprehensive programme of assurance by NHS England, which includes complying with four tests, two of which have implications for involvement and consultation (i.e. the first and fourth tests). The four tests are:

·                     Strong patient and public engagement

·                     Consistency with current and prospective need for patient choice

·                     Clear clinical evidence base

·                     Support for proposals from commissioners.

Reference was made to a series of reports and presentations given to the Better Health Programme Joint Health OSC to date regarding engagement activity that had been carried out to date. Members were advised that learning from all of this engagement activity was being used to shape a communications and engagement plan for formal public consultation.

Mr Lovell indicated that the objectives of the communications and engagement plan for consultation would include:

·                     Ensuring that public and stakeholders have an opportunity to comment on proposals for change, so that feedback can be used to inform the decision making process

·                     Making sure that the consultation is inclusive and provides opportunities for involvement by a diverse range of stakeholders and the public

·                     Including the public and stakeholder voice in the BHP

·                     Ensuring a high level of awareness and understanding of why changes are being proposed

·                     Ensuring that all steps are taken to maintain public confidence in the process, and in the future shape of services

·                     Meeting statutory requirements around consultation.

He also stated that some key messages were being developed which will be included in all public information supporting the consultation. These have been subject to discussions with clinical leaders and they are now being ‘road-tested’ with representatives from patient and community groups, whose comments will be taken into account. Their views are also being sought on how best to present these messages (i.e. in terms of format and visuals). The aim is to ensure that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Chairman had no urgent items.

There had been no items identified.

-       To be confirmed.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Durham County Council reported that in view of the forthcoming mayoral and Council elections and the onset of purdah, it was anticipated that the next meeting of the Committee would be held in early June 2017. He asked that constituent authorities advise him of their appointed representation to the Joint Committee as soon as possible to enable an early meeting of the Committee to be convened.

The meeting ended at 4.45 pm.