Agenda item

Dr. John Radford, Director of Public Health, reported that NHS England (South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw) had identified some development money available to address inequalities across the NHS England area.  The report submitted set out a proposed programme of recurrently funded opportunities for Rotherham to increase the coverage of the Family Nurse Programme and support activity to promote Maternal and Children’s Public Health by the Health Visiting Service.

It was proposed:-

Family Nurse Partnership Coverage

-          To increase the capacity of the Partnership Team to match that of the area where there was the best capacity and coverage.  This would increase capacity so that 24% of first time teenage pregnant women received support from the Programme – currently only 21.8% received support

Improve Breastfeeding Rates in Rotherham

-          Baby Friendly Initiative

The Health Visiting specification required services to “achieve and maintain full accreditation of UNICEF Baby Friendly initiative”.  All HV services in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw had achieved full Baby Friendly accreditation with the exception of Rotherham.  An Infant Feeding Co-ordinator was required to facilitate the process plus significant training and other resources such as promotional materials and BFI assessment costs etc. NHS England was offering a 50% contribution to the development and were seeking a commitment from the Rotherham Foundation Trust to the remaining funding.  The proposal had been present to the Trust who were committed to supporting the match funding allowing them to maximise skill mix and opportunities for ensuring consistent and sustained support to the achievement of UNICEF BFI

-          Baby Friendly Peer Support

Existing Peer Support (Breast Buddies) was only funded until 31^st March, 2015.  The Service was crucial to support breastfeeding mums and consisted of a Peer Support Co-ordinator and paid part-time Peer Supporters who delivered support directly to women and also trained volunteers to support women in the community.  There were benefits to it being integrated into and managed by the Health Visiting Service in the context of BFI.  The proposal was supported by the Foundation Trust

Implement Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Parent Education in Rotherham

-          The Department of Health recommended the above for first time parents.  It was currently offered in 2 other areas in South Yorkshire.  Development would include co-ordination, training, development of materials, delivery staff and venues across the Borough as part of the integrated Foundation Years Best Start Service.  It had been endorsed by the Think Family Steering Group but there were resource issues preventing progress with the initiative.

Due to the national expansion of Health Visitor numbers, Health Visitors were hard to recruit.  The proposals relied upon successful recruitment.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the recommended initiatives be approved as priorities for development.

(2)  That the funding proposals be approved and planning to implement activity be commenced in partnership with NHS England and the Rotherham Foundation Trust with immediate effect as per the schedule submitted.

(3)  That the implementation of the initiatives be led by the Public Health Team in partnership with NHS England (South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw) as part of the transformation of Health Visiting and Family Nurse Programme Services.

(4)  That it be noted that it was essential to ensure there was long term commitment to the Services in particular the Family Nurse Partnership required commitment that the Local Authority would continue to run the Programme and sustain the number of place for a minimum of 3 years post-transition.

(5)  That the report be referred to the Health Select Commission for information.