Agenda and minutes

27.1   The Chairman welcomed Board Members to this virtual meeting of the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board.

27.2   In reference to Board Membership the Chairman thanked departing Board Members Samantha Allen and Michael Wilson and welcomed two new members of the Board; Dr Jane Padmore, Interim Chief Executive Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Angela Stevenson, Chief Executive Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Caroline Ridley of Impact Initiatives was welcomed as the nominated third voluntary sector representative for this meeting. 

27.3   In his welcome, the Chairman reflected that, since the Board’s last meeting in October, there had been ongoing challenges within the pandemic, including the emergence of the Omicron Variant of Concern (VoC) and the move to the Government’s Plan B, very high rates of COVID-19 infection, and continued pressures on the NHS and wider health and social care system. It was noted that, following the success of the ‘Get boosted now’ campaign and other public health prevention measures, England would move back to Plan A, as it continued to move forward in managing the pandemic.

27.4     The Chairman stated that it was clear that the current high levels of COVID-19 within and across  communities continued to have a significant impact on individuals, schools and local areas, but by working together collectively as systems leaders, and championing the actions of council  and partner organisations, the Board would endeavour to make the most effective use of the combined resources available to protect and support  residents in West Sussex.

27.5     The Chairman took the opportunity, on behalf of the Board, to express thanks and appreciation to all those who supported the local delivery of the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, led by  NHS partners, Sussex Health and Care Partnership (SHCP), supported by the County Council and everyone who had taken up the offer of a vaccination, making a huge difference to communities in West Sussex.

27.6     In turning to the agenda, the Chairman pointed out the ongoing approach for reports to highlight the relevant links to the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It was also noted that report recommendations should draw upon the Board’s role and refer to any actions required as a result.

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda.  They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it; if in doubt contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

28.1   There were no declarations.

The Board is asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board held 7 October 2021.

29.1   Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2021 are approved as a correct record and are signed by the Chairman.

The Board invites questions and comments from the public for consideration at the meeting. Contact Erica Keegan on
Tel: 033 022 26050 (a local call) or
email: erica.keegan@westsussex.gov.uk

The meeting will be available to watch live via the Internet at this address: http://www.westsussex.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

30.1   The Chairman informed that a question had been received on environmental risks to Public Health and as this had missed the submission deadline would be answered, in writing, following the meeting.

30.2   The Chairman invited members of the public to submit questions to the Board, at any time, via the contact published on the agenda.

The Children First Board, being accountable to the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board, as a sub-group of the Board, will provide a formal update at its quarterly public meetings.

31.1   The Executive Director for Children, Young People and Learning presented a report on the progress of the Children First Board (CFB), being accountable to the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board, as a sub-group of the Board.

31.2   Key points highlighted were:

·     In the period since the last report to the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Children First Board had agreed the framework for the development of the Children and Young People’s Plan with its priorities agreed as;

1)   Keeping Children and Young People Safe

2)   Addressing poverty and closing the disadvantage gap

3)   Improving emotional wellbeing and mental health

·     It was noted that the Children First Board had a strong ethos of engagement and participation and continued to support young people’s participation in the work of the Board both as members and consultees. It was pleasing that one of the young people had agreed to take the role as Vice-Chairman.

·     The next Children First Board report to the Health and Wellbeing Board would update on the delivery of the Children and Young People’s Plan outlining outcomes and actions.

31.3   In receiving this report, Health and Wellbeing Board Members;

·     praised youth engagement and how their time and expertise was being valued

·     acknowledged the good work of the Children First Board which was aiming to deliver good outcomes

·     welcomed communication on the ongoing work that was being undertaken whilst developing the Children and Young People’s Plan

·     agreed with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Jacquie Russell, on commending the amount of work that had been achieved, particularly in regard to Children and Young People’s mental health whilst also recognising the excellent participation of the Children and Young People themselves.

31.4   The Chairman thanked the Executive Director for Children, Young People and Learning and the Health and Wellbeing Board noted the update.

The Local Outbreak Engagement Board, being accountable to the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board, as a sub-group of the Board, will provide a formal update.

32.1   The Health and Wellbeing Board received its formal quarterly update from the West Sussex Covid19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board (LOEB).  In presenting this report, the Director of Public Health sought feedback on the progress of the  work of the LOEB and requested consideration on how the LOEB could continue to maximise its’ strength in partnership working, maintaining and increasing engagement with residents and communities across the County.

32.2   It was noted that since the last formal update provided to the Health and Wellbeing Board in October 2021 the LOEB had met twice on 18 October and 13 December. Board members had agreed to reduce meetings to every two months reflecting the strong partnership work in place.

32.3   It was reported that the LOEB, with key system leaders and a range of different partners, continued to be fundamental in the development of Covid19 communications.

32.3   In receiving the report the Health and Wellbeing Board;

·       Provided feedback that the communications to residents had worked very well

·       Welcomed the ongoing, regularly updated nature of the communications sent out

·       Suggested a frequently asked Question and Answer communication could be useful

·       Praised the LOEB engagement work with NHS, voluntary sector and District and Borough councils partners providing vital links into communities

·       Agreed communications should be worked upon in a coordinated way so that a uniform message is presented as well as ensuring Government Guidance is clarified

·       Acknowledged the continued need to work flexibly as partners to communicate changeable messaging to a target audience.

32.4   Resolved – that the Health and Wellbeing Board;

(1)   had provided feedback on the progress of the West Sussex COVID-19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board (LOEB) since the last quarterly report to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 7 October 2021; and

(2)   had considered how the LOEB can continue to maximise its’ strength in partnership working, maintaining and increasing engagement with residents and communities across the country, aligned to the Government’s plans set out in the COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021, and any future policy updates.

The Director of Public Health will provide a verbal update on current public health matters.

33.1   The Health and Wellbeing Board received a verbal update on current public health matters from the Director of Public Health. The following updates were received;

·       Covid19 rates remained high in West Sussex which was not surprising after the Christmas holiday period and the return of children into education.

·       It was acknowledged that, at this time, Covid19 was not causing the same levels of hospitalisation and had a lower death rate

·       Public Health were continuing to ask residents to book a booster vaccination building on the good results on uptake across West Sussex

·       The Director of Public Health thanked and praised the cooperation and leadership of school headteachers in managing the Covid19 response in schools

·       Public Health remained in a pandemic state whilst acknowledging the need to learn to live with Covid19 safely

·       The wider Public Health programme continued to work on reducing health inequalities which had been apparent in the pandemic, focussing attention on alcohol/smoking cessation, substance misuse and supporting residents to maintain a healthy weight

33.2   In discussing this update, Health and Wellbeing Board Members welcomed an item on Health Inequalities at the next meeting of the Board on 28 April 2022 which would focus on an evidence based approach to determine priorities.

33.3   The Chairman thanked the Director of Public Health for this update and Board Members for their comments.

The purpose of this report is to update the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board of its obligations in relation to the preparation of the West Sussex Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) by 1 October 2022. A PNA is a statement of need, identifying current and future pharmaceutical needs of West Sussex.

34.1   The Principal Manager, West Sussex Public Health and Social Research Unit, presented the report on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) reminding the Health and Wellbeing Board of its statutory obligations in relation to the preparation of the West Sussex Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) by 1^st October 2022. The PNA was described as a statement of need, identifying current and future needs for market entry decisions by NHS England.

34.2 In receiving this report, Board Members discussed the minimum 60 day consultation process which would commence mid-June 2022. Suggestions on options for consultation engagement were noted.

34.3   Resolved – that the Health and Wellbeing Board;

(1)  noted its statutory responsibility to the PNA; and

(2)  agreed that sign off of the PNA would be via Chairman’s Action  to meet the deadline of October 1^st, 2022.

The Executive Director Adults and Health and the Executive Managing Director West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group will provide a verbal update. 

35.1   The Executive Director, Adults and Health and the Executive Managing Director of the West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group provided a verbal update on Health and Care System pressures.

35.2   Key pressures highlighted were;

·       the system was currently in Seasonal Pressures as well as continuing the Covid19 response. The delivery of Planned Care had been impacted by the response to COVID-19 from March 2020 onwards

·       strong partnership working, as a necessity in dealing with the pandemic, had been developed and continued to be key to managing the Health and Care response

·       pressures were noted around Acute (unplanned) Care with increasing use of front line, emergency departments. To mitigate this the NHS were encouraging the use of the NHS 111 telephone service for non-urgent care

·       there were workforce challenges due to Covid19 in both care and health settings. To alleviate pressures on the Health Care System the NHS was focused on triage. This included using virtual capacity such as telephone/video appointments

·       the number of hospital admissions had not been increasing recently but levels of hospital discharge flow was a pressure point. Between 10^th to 14^th January there was a multi-agency hospital discharge event to help reduce the number of patients waiting to go home by using suitable care packages as well as voluntary sector support

·       there were workforce challenges in Health and Care due to the pandemic. The County Council, local councils, the voluntary sector, Public Health and NHS had been working collaboratively to support the workforce challenges in the NHS as well as in care settings.

·       Mental health as well as supporting those with Learning Disabilities had been exacerbated by the pandemic and was identified as a wider challenge to the system

35.3   In discussing Health and Care System pressures, the Board noted the pandemic recovery focus on reducing health waiting times including planned care interventions. This would work alongside the social care position on discharge to assess capacity to ensure good hospital flow.

35.4   Looking ahead the Health and Wellbeing Board noted the forthcoming work on the Integrated Care System and the need to agree priorities.  It was identified that integrated provision would facilitate the best use of resources for Health and Care Winter 2022/3. A Market Sustainability Plan would be developed by Autumn 2022 to consider discharge to assess demand against capacity.

35.5   Board Members were informed that West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet would consider the Adult Social Care Strategy at its meeting on 1st February 2022 as part of wider work underway to adopt a single integrated approach to improving adult social care outcomes in West Sussex.

35.6   The Chairman thanked the Executive Director, Adults and Health and the Executive Managing Director of the West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group for this update.

The Board will receive a report on West Sussex Place Development. Since the establishment of the West Sussex Health and Care Partnership, in April 2020, work has been progressed to develop as a partnership and to ensure the benefits are realised for the population of West Sussex.

This report provides an update on progress on two key aspects:

·       The West Sussex Health and Care Plan

·       The development of the West Sussex place

36.1   The West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board received a report on West Sussex Place Development from the Joint Strategic Director of Commissioning. This report provided an update on the West Sussex Health and Care Plan and the development of West Sussex Place.

36.2   Board Members were reminded that the work around this plan was not new, being in place for almost a year. The West Sussex Place Based Partnership had also continued to develop over the last 12 months.  West Sussex Place continued to develop an Integrated Care Partnership designed for the local population and system partners. The work had been delayed due to pandemic challenges and a new target date of 1 July 2022 had been set for the implementation of this statutory arrangement.  

36.3   It was noted that the West Sussex Place Based plan would incorporate learning from the pandemic and build on collaborative working. It was pointed out that this was a plan of multiple ownership with a key focus on what partners wanted to achieve together for the area.

36.4   It was reported that the plan would address population health needs including health inequalities, integrate models of care as well as focusing on identifying and reviewing joint transformation priorities.

36.5   In receiving this report, Board Members;

·       acknowledged that, with respect to their health and care needs, residents would like personalisation of care, a joined up approach from care system providers, service delivery close to home and within their local community

·       agreed that it was important to receive community views and use this to influence plans by consulting a wide audience

·       welcomed the learning from Covid19 to be incorporated into future ways of working

·       noted that partnership working would be critical to the success of the development of the West Sussex Place health and care response

·       praised the plan and partners for their engagement

·       recognised the need for the place based plans to be compatible, integrating with other integral partnership plans such as the Adult Social Care Strategy and NHS programmes

·       pointed out the opportunity to engage with organisations across West Sussex such as educational establishments (university, colleges, schools, vocational training)

·       were pleased to note the focus on health inequalities to ensure a good life expectancy in West Sussex with projects such as smoking cessation.  

36.6   In summing up, Board Members were informed that the Sussex Integrated Care System had a communications strategy that could be incorporated at Place level.

36.7   Resolved – that the Health and Wellbeing Board noted the summary West Sussex Health and Care Plan and the West Sussex place-based development plan.

This report provides a summary of the final West Sussex Better Care Fund planning submission for 2021/22, along with the regular monitoring of performance against the national metrics for Quarter 2 2021/22.

37.1   The Joint Strategic Director of Commissioning presented the Better Care Fund Report which provided a summary of the final West Sussex Better Care Fund planning submission for 2021/22 along with the regular monitoring of performance for Quarter 2 2021/22.

37.2   The Board were reminded that the West Sussex Better Care Fund Plan had been submitted for regional assurance on 16 November 2021. As agreed at the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 7 October 2021 this plan was approved by Chairman’s Action on 7 December 2021.

37.3   Board Members received the West Sussex Better Care Fund  final income and expenditure plan 2021/22.       

37.4   With respect to Better Care Fund Performance Q2 2021/22 Board Members were informed that data had been captured at a national level and due to Covid19 some of the metrics had been retained from previous years so were not necessarily the most reliable measures. Although performance against national data was monitored it was acknowledged that local intelligence provided a useful comparison.

37.5   In turning to the report’s recommendations, the Chairman was pleased to note the approval of the West Sussex Better Care Fund Planning 2021/22 submission.

37.6   Resolved – that the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board;

(1) noted the final West Sussex Better Care Fund funding sources and expenditure plan, and performance targets applying to the national Better Care Fund metrics for 2021/22; and

(2) noted the West Sussex Performance against the national Betetr Care Fund metrics at Q2 2021/22.

To note the work programme for 22/23 as attached. Members of the Board are requested to mention any items which they believe to be of relevance to the business of the Health and Wellbeing Board. If any member puts forward an item the Board is asked to assess briefly whether to refer the matter to the Chairman to consider in detail for future inclusion.

38.1   The Chairman referred Board Members to the work plan 2022/23 and were asked to mention any items believed to be of importance to the business of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

38.2   The following items were put forward to be considered for inclusion in future meetings of the Board;

·       Adult Social Care Strategy

·       Disabled Facilities Grant

·       Oral Health Promotion (avoid any duplication with the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee)

·       Social Mobility and the Pandemic (older generation focus)

38.3   Resolved – that the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board’s Work Programme 2022-23 be noted.

The next meeting of the Board will be held at 10.30 am on 28 April 2022.

39.1   The date of the next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board was confirmed as 28 April 2022.

The meeting ended at 12.26pm