Agenda item

Joint Report of the Corporate Director Adult and Health Services, DCC and the Director of Public Health, DCC.

The Board received a report and presentation from the Director of Public Health and Public Health Strategic Manager, Kirsty Wilkinson on the Joint Strategic Needs and Assets Assessment – Veterans Health Needs Assessment (for copy see file of minutes).

The Public Health Strategic Manager explained as regards what a Health Needs Assessment (HNA) was and how this would be tailored for those leaving the armed forces.  She added the prevalence of veterans within the County Durham population being 5.2 percent, higher than the North East level of 5.0 percent and a national level of 3.8 percent.  The Board were given information as regards the findings from the Assessment, across six themes: Theme 1: Data; Theme 2: Health Issues – physical, mental and social; Theme 3: Access to Health Care; Theme 4: Access to support for individuals; Theme 5: Support for the armed forces community; and Theme 6: Emerging issues.  The Board noted the recommendations within the Assessment and recommendations for the Board to consider.

Councillor R Bell asked how and where training could be accessed to upskill the workforce in terms of the Armed Forces Act and the needs of our veterans.  The Public Health Strategic Manager noted there were levels of training, from awareness raising, which DCC has accessed so they are aware of armed forces issues at a lower level.  She added that there was a higher level training from Health Education England for those in Health and Social Care, and training on the Armed Forces Covenant specific for Housing staff and those working in Social Care.  She noted that it would be ensured that the relevant Officers were given the right training for them.

Councillor T Henderson asked whether it was felt that there was assurance that all relevant organisations around the Health and Wellbeing Board were able to respond to the recommendations within the Veterans’ HNA, and if not, what more the Health and Wellbeing Board could do.  The Public Health Strategic Manager explained that there was assurance for the Board in terms of the Armed Forces Forum, with them developing a three year Action Plan.  So noted that all involved had a duty under the Armed Forces Act 2021, and that the recommendations had been developed with veterans, noting e-training that could be available. 

Peter Sutton asked as regards the role of organisations as employers, noting different levels of accreditation, bronze, silver, gold and asked if that was something that could be signed up for. 

The Public Health Strategic Manager noted that for the County Council it was picked up within the Armed Forces Covenant, with the Council having gold status, however, there were other organisations around the table.  Peter Sutton noted that it may be a recommendation for organisations to commit to such accreditation.  The Director of Integrated Community Services noted that the Council had a guaranteed interview scheme, Peter Sutton noted this was also the case for STSFT.  The Director of Integrated Community Services explained that there had been a great deal of training with the Social Work Team within the Council, looking at the needs of older persons, linking to support from the Royal British Legion and Sailors’ Association.

Dominic Gardner explained that employment was known to be important to both physical and mental health and noted that it therefore was important to direct veterans to support.  The Director or Public Health noted that there were good commitments from organisations and asked if the Head of Integrated Commissioning could look to take forward with Dr James Carlton in terms of GPs, noting that a number of ex-service personnel were not registered with a GP.  The Head of Integrated Commissioning noted that Dr James Carlton was a veteran himself and was sure he would help drive the agenda.

Andrea Petty noted that as the County Council had achieved the Gold accreditation, it may be useful if details were shared on how it was achieved.  The Head of Partnerships and Community Engagement, Gordon Elliott noted he chaired the Armed Forces Forum and could share information as regards the Gold Award.  Andrea Petty asked as regards links in terms of the criminal justice system and veterans and with the Council and Armed Forces Forum.  The Public Health Strategic Manager noted issues in terms of data, noting that there was a need to collect and use the data to help enable those to access services.

The Chair noted the Gold status of the Council in this regard and noted that often the Council did not promote its achievements.  It was agreed that veterans would be approached in relation to attendance at a future HWB when an update was provided in relation to the Veteran’s HNA, so they can share their experiences directly with HWB members.

Resolved:

(a)      That the contents of the Veterans HNA be noted.

(b)      That the recommendations within the HNA be agreed by the Board.

(c)      That the development of an action plan, via the Armed Forces

        Forum, to implement the recommendations from the HNA be agreed.

(d)      That an annual update on the implementation of the recommendations is presented to the Board.