Agenda and minutes

Cllr Roche mentioned that Dame Carol Black had visited Rotherham on 24^th September and had been very impressed with services such as the Rotherham Institute of Obesity.

-          Welcome and introductions (Chair, Councillor Roche)

-          Recap and formal approval of the Strategy (Chair, Councillor Roche)

-          The “big picture” (John Deffenbaugh, Consultant)

·           reflect on Board journey to date and what members need to do now to ensure both the Board and the Strategy have a real impact

·           how will we know whether the Strategy is successful?  What are our short, medium and long term goals?

·           how can we target efforts directly towards reducing health inequalities within the Borough?

-          Delivering the Strategy (break up into 2 groups)

·           can we identify a small number of more specific priorities on which to focus?

·           the mechanics: agree lead organisations for each aim and level of seniority for lead officer; what are the key functions that the ‘engine room’ sub-group should fulfil and who should sit on it?  What other feeder groups are there for each aim?

·           action planning – identify key actions for each aim.  Consider how we can engage other agencies and departments who are not directly involved in the Board as well as communities and Service users

-          Summary and next steps (John Deffenbaugh, Consultant)

-          Closing remarks (Chair, Councillor Roche)

Cllr Roche summarised the process of developing and consulting on the new health and wellbeing strategy for 2015-18.  Ian asked whether the number of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy could be included as a measure.  Tracey confirmed that the question is asked during the ante-natal period, but there is no national target so we don’t have comprehensive statistics.  However, Tracey agreed to investigate whether a measure could be identified.

The Rotherham Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2015-18 was approved by the board.  Chris pointed out that it was critical for all partners to now ensure that their strategic plans align with the new strategy.

Workshop session

John facilitated the workshop session, which was split broadly into two parts:

          i.        A “big picture” discussion reflecting on the board’s recent progress and the major issues it faces in ensuring the strategy is delivered successfully

         ii.        Thoughts on the mechanics of overseeing and delivering the strategy via the board

Key points are summarised below.

i. Big picture

Group discussion feedback

- Loneliness/isolation major contributing factor to poor health and wellbeing

- Services can be efficient and caring; services should be seamless with people able to easily access the appropriate service

- Reduced inequalities and more opportunities for young people

- Equity of provision/outcomes (e.g. GP capacity in deprived areas and attracting GPs to Rotherham generally)

- All services need to work more effectively with primary care to tackle underlying problems

- Observed that the health and wellbeing board has good engagement from all members and that members are able to look beyond their discrete areas of responsibility

- Key issues include: childhood obesity, long-term limiting illness, investing in social capital (positive impact on mental health)

- A long-term goal should be to have more involvement in this agenda from children and young people

- Maintain focus on long-term outcomes despite short-term pressures

- Change mindset from treating people to providing care and to self-care

- Social prescribing – evaluation demonstrates its effectiveness and savings to the whole health economy so roll-out more widely

- Discourage older people from retiring and encourage them to design life around the things they enjoy doing.  Having a fulfilling vocation will improve health and wellbeing.

- Celebrate successes (e.g. Rotherham Institute of Obesity) more widely and loudly

- Focus on the approach – all members able to explain clearly what the board is trying to do – consistent messages

- Be clear about the added value of the board, given that some of the detailed discussions – e.g. on Better Care Fund – will happen elsewhere.  The board needs to be aware, but then to support and challenge rather than duplicating.

Plenary

- Strategy is only as good as partners’ will to operationalize it.

- Strength of relationships between partners remains critical

- Partners will have to accept that sometimes doing things for the greater good will come at the expense of their individual organisations

- Increasing imperative to make the best use of resources - maximise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

-          Oral update by (Chris Edwards, Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group)

Chris explained that the plan would set out how partners will utilise an additional £360,000 per annum from NHS England for CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) activity.

Due to the tight timescales, with submission due in mid-October, it was proposed that the board delegates the chair and vice-chair to sign off the plan.  In the meantime, Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will continue to work with partners, particularly RMBC and RDaSH (Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust), to finalise the plan.  Chris can provide further details as required.

The board agreed to delegate approval to the chair and vice-chair.

-          Oral update (Chris Edwards, Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group)

Chris talked through the paper.  The CCG will send the draft plan to all partners for feedback in October, with the final plan to be produced early next year following the NHS spending review in December.

-          Oral update (Chair, Councillor Roche)

Cllr Roche explained that at a recent council meeting the board had been criticised for taking too long to respond to the access to GPs review and for not taking a strong enough line in relation to missed GP appointments.  It was suggested, for example, that the board should encourage the GPs to send appointment reminders.

It was clarified that the facility already exists to send text reminders, but it requires patients to sign-up in advance.  Further discussion on GP appointments revealed that even appointments booked on the day are missed frequently, with younger people (i.e. under the age of 35) the worst offenders for missed appointments generally.  It was noted that people missing appointments may often have complex problems and Jason wondered whether it was possible to share information on them in order to intervene and provide support where possible.

Cllr Roche thanked members for the information and agreed to feedback to the health select commission.

25th November, 2015 at 9.00 a.m.

25th November, 9.00-11.00, Rotherham town hall (TBC)