Hampshire County Council Health and Wellbeing Board Meeting

Apologies were received from:

·         Donna Jones, Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner (her deputy was a vacancy) 

·         Cllr Philip Raffaelli (Cllr Michael Hope attended as substitute) 

·         Dr Nicola Decker

·         Dr Rory Honney

·         David Radbourne, NHS England (his substitute Mary O’Brien also gave apologies)

·         Graham Allen, Director of Adults’ Health and Care

·         Steve Crocker, Director of Children’s Services (Suzanne Smith attended as substitute)

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2021 were reviewed and agreed.

No deputations were received.

The Chairman made a number of announcements as follows:

Ukraine 

The County Council had expressed its shock and sadness at the unfolding situation and had confirmed publicly that it was ready to play its part in supporting the humanitarian emergency, and to help any new arrivals coming into the county, building on previous resettlement schemes, and past collaborative experience with partners of helping refugees and evacuees from other conflicts. 

The Council had also welcomed the Government’s announcement on the launch of the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme and were awaiting further information as to the full nature of the support that may be required to underpin the initiative.? It was expected that this would include providing those fleeing the conflict with help to access public services, schools, public health and other support, including access to trauma counselling. 

The Chairman noted that the Leader of the County Council had announced an initial £100,000 in funding to provide any immediate support required by Ukrainians arriving in the county. 

In terms of keeping the public well informed, the dedicated pages on the County Council’s website were being regularly updated with information about the steps being taken with partners across Hampshire to support those seeking refuge, and how they were able to help. This also included links to the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme and how to register an interest in supporting individuals, as well as families.

The Board joined with the Chairman in underlining their joint commitment to providing those who may arrive in Hampshire with a safe haven, and any support they may require to manage the impact of this deeply distressing conflict.

Health and Wellbeing Activities for Children & Young People

The Chairman thanked the Health and Wellbeing Board member’s organisations for the collaborative effort in putting on a week of health and wellbeing activities for children and young people in schools in February 2022.  The aim for the week had been “To encourage and support children and young people to have a good understanding and relationship with their own physical and mental wellbeing”. The Chairman reported that there had been engagement from a broad range of partners, many of whom were represented on the Health and Wellbeing Board.

JSNA Second Workshop Update 

The Chairman noted that the second Joint Strategic Needs Assessment workshop had taken place and had been well attended by colleagues, covering the strategic overview as well as examples of practical use of report sections, datasets and tools.?

ICS Delay Update 

The Board heard that progress on the drafting and finalisation of legislation was continuing in Parliament for the creation of integrated care systems (ICSs). From 1st April NHS organisations would move into shadow form ready for the intended implementation of the ICSs for Hampshire and Isle of Wight and Frimley formally from 1st July 2022. The Chairman noted that Lena Samuels was the Chair designate and Maggie MacIsaac the Chief Executive designate for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICS and that Priya Singh was the Chair designate and Fiona Edwards the Chief Executive designate for the Frimley ICS.

Representatives from all organisations were involved in continuing discussions designed to establish structures and governance arrangements. A more detailed update was intended to be provided at the Board’s June meeting.

Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2021-22

The Chairman announced that Board Sponsors would collaborate to bring the Board’s Annual Report to the June Health and Wellbeing Board and noted that it would be received at the July Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Update 

A local steering group had met including representatives from NHS England and Community Pharmacy South Central to review the content and structure of the document. The contractor questionnaire had been issued and responses collated. A draft document would be circulated to NHS England and the County Council’s Public Health Management Team prior to 60 days public consultation period and sign off by the board in the Autumn.

Dying Well Carer’s Network Staff Session

The Chairman also announced that the Carers/Working Parents Staff Network held an End-of-Life Care event this week which had been very well attended and positively received not only by Network members but other colleagues from the County Council.

A representative of the Director of Children’s Services gave a presentation to summarise the report providing an update on the progress of the Starting Well priority areas of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (see Item 6 in the Minute Book). The update also covered the 2021 Holiday Activity and Food programme.

Members of the Board commented on the issues raised by the presentation and areas where partner organisations could help signpost families to relevant services each other provided.

RESOLVED:

That the Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board note the report and progress against the priority areas.

A representative of the Director of Public Health and representative with relevant lived experience gave a presentation to summarise the report providing an update on the Hampshire Suicide Prevention Strategy (see Item 7 in the Minute Book).

Board members commented on the issues raised including opportunities to promote training on suicide and bereavement within partner organisations.

RESOLVED:

That the Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board:

1.    Note the progress and achievements from the 2018-2021 Suicide Prevention Strategy, including enhanced activity and additional funding secured in the last year.

2.    Approve the approach moving forward to embed suicide prevention across the wider mental health agenda across the System.

3.    Recognise the significant importance of this agenda by identifying a senior suicide prevention champion/sponsor across each organisation to enable mobilisation of workstreams across each HWB partner organisation. The role of the champion/sponsor is to ensure adequate resources and workforce capacity are directed to delivering the ambitions of the suicide prevention strategy and action plan.

4.    Support the continuation of the approach whereby People with Lived/Living experience integrate and inform (where possible) all workstreams of the Hampshire Suicide Prevention Strategy and action plan moving forward.

4.

The Director of Public Health presented his annual report, which for 2021-22 focused on addressing inequalities in mental health and wellbeing across Hampshire in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic (see Item 8 in the Minute Book).

Board members welcomed the report and commented on the issues raised.

RESOLVED:

The Health and Wellbeing Board:

1.    Note the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2021.

2.    Endorse the recommendations within the Annual Report:

i. Work with partners across Hampshire to promote a prevention-focused approach towards improving the public’s mental and emotional health through progressing the work of Hampshire’s Mental Health Prevention Concordat.

ii. Work alongside community, voluntary sector and district partners to identify how we can support mental health and wellbeing for people from ethnic minority backgrounds and other populations at increased risk of COVID-19 in Hampshire. This includes utilising Community Researchers to engage with their communities to understand key issues around mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

iii. Mobilise community assets to promote mental and physical health and wellbeing via the implementation of a Community Champion programme, whilst also strengthening communities through a sustained Men’s Activity Network.

iv. Strengthen the pathways for people with co-occurring mental health and alcohol and drug use conditions, working with the NHS Transforming Mental Health Services programme

v. Ensuring that mental health services are equally accessible for everyone, including those from ethnic minority groups who are more likely to have been affected by the impact of COVID-19.

vi. Focus on the wider social and economic factors to address inequalities and mental health. For example, understanding the impact of COVID-19 on people’s personal finances and mental wellbeing and seeking to address these through targeted resources for residents and training programmes to support front-line staff.

vii. Building capacity and capability across frontline workforces to prevent mental health problems and promote good mental and emotional wellbeing within their everyday practice using the?Public Mental Health Leadership and Workforce Development Framework Call to Action.

viii. Continuing to promote public-facing culturally competent mental and emotional wellbeing resources and targeted communications campaigns, especially to address areas of inequalities

A representative of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) gave a presentation to summarise the report regarding the draft HIWFRS Community Safety Plan 2022-2025 (see Item 9 in the Minute Book).

Board members commented on the draft plan, including opportunities for closer working between partner organisations. It was noted that some fire stations were used for covid vaccinations and in some cases attracted people who were not willing to attend a health setting. It was discussed whether this approach could be used for reaching people over other health issues.

RESOLVED:

That the Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board:

1.    Note the contents of this report with particular reference to the inclusion of Health as a priority (page 7).

2.    Partners provide feedback to the Area Manager, Jason Avery by the 23 March 2022.

The Board Manager presented the forward plan of items due to come before the Board in future (see Item 10 in the Minute Book) and invited feedback from Members of the Board.

It was suggested that it would be timely to review the Terms of Reference of the Health and Wellbeing Board, in the light of the changes in NHS Commissioning to Integrated Care Systems.

The Healthwatch representative highlighted that a topic being regularly raised with Healthwatch by the public recently was concerns over dentistry. It was noted that dentistry was currently commissioned regionally, but this would be moving to Integrated Care Systems in future.

RESOLVED:

The Forward Plan was noted.