Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from N Bailey, R Chillery, J Gillon, C Harries, S Jacques, L Jeavons, C Martin, J Robinson, M Whellans.

L Alexander for J Robinson, G O’Neill for M Whellans, J Foggin for S Jacques, L Buckley for C Martin, S Pett for J Gillon and S Lamb for R Chillery

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 July were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Board received an update from the Chief Clinical Officer, Durham Dales

Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group in relation to the Health and Social Care Plan. 

The Board was provided with a detailed presentation which gave an overview of the Integrated Care Partnership (looking at acute provision); its structure, progress to date, next steps and plans for the future (for copy see file of minutes).

The Director of Public Health referred to the positive preventative work and welcomed partnership working across health and social care.

The Chief Clinical Officer referred to the NHS 10 year plan which would identify any future funding implications including devolved regional budgets and looking strategically at where services were best placed within the North East and North Cumbria.

The Chief Clinical Officer outlined that CCGs were looking to work more closely together which included having one accountable officer across five Clinical Commissioning Groups.

The Chairman was concerned about potential public health grant reductions linked to business rates and requested that this be a future agenda item.

Resolved:

That the presentation be noted.

The Board received a presentation from the Director of Public Health which gave details of the Stay well this Winter campaign 2018 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Director of Public Health confirmed that for the first time a group Chaired by Dr Ian Davidson, Director of Quality and Safety, was looking at the uptake of flu immunisation in County Durham.  70% of over 65’s were at risk, but the challenge were those at risk who were under 65, with a health condition and pregnant women.

There had already been communications issued at local level until the launch of the national campaign in October. 

The Chief Clinical Officer, Durham Dales Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group queried whether a target had been set with regards to the immunisation of Social Care staff and confirmed that the NHS target for staff immunisation was 75% and the take up last year was 93%.  The Director of Public Health confirmed that frontline Social Care staff take up last year had been offered on a voucher scheme and it was anticipated there would be an increase by offering the vaccine through the occupational health service and agreed it would be aspirational to set a target for next year.  She confirmed that pregnant women were now being targeted as they were entering maternity services.

Fuel poverty was discussed and it was agreed that a report would be presented to a future Board meeting in relation to this issue.

Resolved: That the presentation be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Independent Chair of the Durham Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB), Director of Integration, which presented the Annual Report 2017/2018 (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Chairman reminded the Board of the importance in services being aware of safeguarding responsibilities.

Resolved:

That the annual report be received.

The Board considered a report of the Independent Chair of the Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), which presented the Annual Report 2017/2018 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategic Manager, Partnerships, highlighted the LSCB achievements and challenges of 2017/18 and priorities for 2018/19.

Councillor Gunn, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People’s Services, confirmed that there was a wealth of information published in the report and she was pleased to see information on the developmental work as well as achievements, however she queried the progress which had been made with regards to the new safeguarding arrangements.  The Strategic Manager – Partnerships, confirmed that three sub-groups had been agreed and priorities were currently being considered. These transitional arrangements were to be published by June 2019 and there would be a three month implementation period.  Further information regarding the transitional arrangements would be provided to the Board in November or January.

Resolved:

That the annual report be received.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Operating Officer, North Durham and Durham Dales, Easington & Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Groups, which provided information on the Consulation on Evidence Based Interventions (for copy see file of minutes).

In response to a question from Councillor Allen regarding the level of publicity which had been given to highlight the consultation to members of the public, the Chief Clinical Officer, Durham Dales, Easington & Sedgefield (DDES) CCG confirmed that Durham was already advanced with regards to the interventions highlighted in the consultation document and had implemented systems to ensure that they were not routinely performed where they were not clinically effective or where the risks outweighed the benefits.

Councillor Gunn asked for further clarity on whether members of the public were able to respond to the consultation as referenced in the document.  She agreed with many of the proposed changes, however she wondered whether some of them would have a negative impact on some people more than others. 

The Director of Public Health confirmed that this was a public consultation, however it was also a National campaign and CCG’s were not responsible for any of the events being hosted.  There was a chance for members of the public to respond to the survey and the Board would receive an update after the consultation.  A list of interventions not carried out in County Durham would be provided by the Clinical Chair, DDES CCG.

Any comments from the Board to be sent to the Strategic Manager – Partnerships and written into a consultation response.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

The Board considered the Healthwatch Annual Report 2017/18 (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor Gunn praised the content of the report and queried whether there were any key messages or trends identified by the consultation which took place to choose the key priorities for 2018-19.  The Project Lead confirmed that some areas which had been amongst the feedback received included;

·         Access to dental services and questions regarding payment for treatment on the NHS

·         Navigating Mental Health Services

·         Access to Patient Transport and Eligibility

The Clinical Chair (DDES CCG) confirmed that the work which had been completed by Healthwatch was greatly appreciated and congratulated the team.

The Project Lead outlined that Healthwatch County Durham had been shortlisted for two Healthwatch England Awards.

Resolved:

That the annual report be received.

The Director of Public Health gave a presentation on the National Stoptober campaign in relation to smoking cessation (for copy see file of minutes).

The Director of Public Health outlined that a press release would be issued.  A detailed update would be provided to partner organisations so each organisation can get involved.  A focus would be on the workforce.

Resolved:

That the presentation be noted.

The Board received a report of the Area Action Partnership Co-ordinator, which provided an update in relation to the work taking place to enhance the interface between AAP’s and the Health and Wellbeing Board to improve the alignment of AAP developments and investments and the priorities of the board (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Chairman referred to the enthusiasm of the AAP Co-ordinator and congratulated him for the policy changes which had been implemented because of the work undertaken by the AAPs.

Councillor Gunn confirmed that from her own experience as a County Councillor, the AAPs covered many projects and people from the community were getting involved and communities and schools were benefitting.  AAPs were proving to be a huge success and she congratulated the Co-ordinators for the work they were doing.  She commented on the funding raised by AAPs. The Board were also reminded about AAPs being a conduit for engaging and consulting with local people. .

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

The Board received a joint report of the Director of Public Health and Head of Planning and Assets which provided an update on the partnership working between Durham County Council public health and spatial policy teams to address health and health inequalities across the County (for copy see file of Minutes).

With regards to the draft hot food takeaways Policy, the Clinical Chair (DDES CCG) queried whether the number of Hot Food Takeaways (HFTs) could be reduced by removing the classification upon a shop closing down.  The Senior Policy Officer confirmed that in the absence of a change of use, another HFT could reopen as the classification was attached to the premises. 

The Chairman referred to the challenges of taking enforcement action against premises and the Director of Operations Durham & Darlington, Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed that the reliance on takeaways was a lifestyle choice and people were prepared to travel or have food delivered.  He suggested that people needed educating in order to make better lifestyle choices and the healthy weight strategic plan would assist to change peoples behaviour.

Councillor Gunn agreed that the policy was an enormous step forward. The Director of Public Health confirmed that the planning process was complex, but there was a clear consensus that people wanted a change and this would be addressed in the long term by hopefully changing the way people considered HFTs and ensuring they did not see this as a normal part of their diet.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

The Board considered a presentation by the Director of Public Health which gave details of the campaign for World Mental Health Day (for copy see file of minutes).

The Director of Public Health outlined that the County Durham Partnership would be signing up to commit to the Time to Change Pledge to stop mental health stigma and discrimination.  

Resolved:

That the presentation be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services which provided information on a national consultation launched by the Local Government Association with regards to a green paper on adult social care and wellbeing, entitled ‘The lives we want to lead’ (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor Allen confirmed that it was important for the Board to provide collective feedback to the consultation, but also to respond as individuals and suggested that all agencies and bodies were reminded to respond.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

The Chairman announced that the Chief Executive, Office of the Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner was leaving his post in October and a replacement would attend future meetings.  She thanked him for his positive contribution to the work undertaken and wished him success for the future.