Agenda and minutes

In his welcome, the Chairman will refer Board Members to the attached West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board Terms of Reference which have been amended to include the arrangements for the new Sussex Integrated Care System that came into force on 1 July 2022.

25.1   In welcoming all present to the meeting the Chairman outlined the following updates;

25.2     Board Members were referred to the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board Terms of Reference (copy appended to the agenda available on the website)which had been amended to include the arrangements for the new Sussex Integrated Care System that came into force on 1 July 2022. Members were asked to note.

25.3     Since the last meeting of the Board, the Chairman formally confirmed his Chairman’s Action to sign-off,  the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) as circulated to Board Members.

25.4     It was noted that an informal Health and Wellbeing Board Seminar was held on 7 October, which focused on the priorities and relationship between the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Integrated Care System place-based partnership following its formal launch. This had provided valuable input and discussion, exploring the role of the Board within the system and its interface with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), known as NHS Sussex, and the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), known as the Sussex Health and Care Assembly.

25.5     The Chairman reminded members of the Four Boards Collaborative Working Agreement:In autumn 2019, a Collaborative Working Agreement was developed between the four countywide strategic boards to galvanise and strengthen relationships and describe the collective endeavour to deliver the responsibilities, priorities and ambitions of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Safeguarding Adults Board, Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, and Safer West Sussex Partnership. In early October 2022, representatives from the four boards came together to re-energise the principles of collaboration, share respective Board priorities, and to identify opportunities to work more closely to support residents and communities.

25.6     The Chairman provided an update for Board Members on the progress of the West Sussex Joint Dementia Strategy 2020-2023,which launched in September 2020 , ending in March 2023. It was noted that  excellent progress had been made throughout the pandemic, thanks to excellent partnership working across the system with health, social care and the voluntary and community sector. NHS funding for the Strategy had provided opportunities for innovation, new roles and services, including the development of a new Learning Disability Dementia Assessment Pathway, additional support for carers, greater dementia awareness and improved awareness for people affected by dementia from South Asian Communities. Members were informed that as the strategy moves into its final 5 months a programme of activities was being developed to help support people with dementia and their carers through the winter period and cost of living pressures.

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.

26.1   There were no declarations of interest.

The Board is asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 7 July 2022.

27.1   Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2022 are approved as a correct record and are signed by the Chairman.

The Board invites questions and comments from the public observers present at the meeting. Those with more complex issues are asked to submit their question before the meeting (ideally several days) in order to allow a substantive answer to be given. Contact Erica Keegan on 033 022 26050 (a local call) or via email: erica.keegan@westsussex.gov.uk

28.1   It was noted that the Board had received two questions that would be dealt with outside of the meeting as one did not meet with the Board’s jurisdiction and both needed sufficient time for a substantive answer. As both questioners were not in attendance it was confirmed a written response would be provided following the meeting.

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.

29.1   The Assistant Director (Early Help & Children’s Social Care) provided a formal update on the Children First Board, being accountable to the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board, as a sub-group of the Board.

29.2   Members were reminded that the Children First Board is made up of a wide range of West Sussex organisations and groups including young people, parent, carers and others who look after children on a daily basis. It also comprised of members from practitioners, officers of the County Council; people elected to represent the views of the people of West Sussex, Districts and Boroughs, schools, colleges, police, health partners, and representatives from the voluntary and community sector.  The voice of young people was noted as being provided through four young people on the Board with the Board’s vice-chair also being a young person.

29.3   Since its last report to the Health and Wellbeing Board the Children First Board had been working on the development and production of a Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP). Following a twelve week consultation process  (April 2022 - June 2022) a number of important changes were made to the draft plan and incorporated into the final version. The plan would now focus on five priorities noted as:

1.   Keeping children and young people safe from harm

2.   Providing the earliest support to families on low incomes to minimise the impact this has on their lives

3.   Closing the disadvantage gap for children and young people across all key stages

4.   Improving children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing

5.   Strengthening multi- agency approach to identifying and meeting the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

29.4   It was informed that the final plan would be made available in an electronic format in the first instance, so it could be circulated and accessed virtually. It would then be put into a range of formats so it would be accessible to all.

29.5   The last meeting of the Children First Board, held on 17 October 2022, received an update on the Children and Young People Plan as well as receiving reports on the progress being made on emotional health and wellbeing and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

29.6   In receiving the report members asked how the Children First Board would be responding to the Cost of Living Crisis. It was answered that this was seen as a priority and joined up work, between partners, was taking place to support families whilst also addressing poverty. The primary focus was taking place at local level and the Children First Board was being kept informed.  The Assistant Director (Communities) confirmed that all partners were working hard to ensure a collaborative approach at a local level. One example was where direct feedback from schools was being used. Free holiday club places were being made available over the school Christmas holidays for children who receive means-tested free school meals; 41 organisations are assisting with delivery of the Holiday Activity and Food  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

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

30.1   The Director of Public Health will provided a verbal update on current public health matters and highlighted the following key points;

·       It was expected that the Winter period would bring more infectious disease. Covid rates had stabilised and the rates in West Sussex were declining. It was hoped that a decline would continue in Covid rates in the over 60 age group and in the number of hospital admissions. The Local Outbreak Engagement Board, as a Subgroup of the Health and Wellbeing Board, would continue in its prevention and protection work.

·       It was encouraged that anyone who has had an invite for a seasonal flu or Covid-19 vaccine to come forward.

·       It was noted that the annual national stop smoking challenge, known as Stoptober, this year focused on younger smokers between the age of 25 and 50. Members were informed that evaluation of the campaign would be undertaken to monitor its effectiveness.

·       Board members were informed that the annual Public Health Report was due to be published shortly. This was an independent report by the Director of Public Health and this year’s topic would be on Covid-19, its impact and learning.

30.2   In thanking the Director of Public Health for the update, the Chairman emphasised the importance of vaccines in making a positive health difference to the local population and encouraged all eligible residents to receive their seasonal flu/Covid-19 vaccination.

The Public Health Specialty Registrar will present a report to the Board on cost of living pressures, and potential impacts on our local population’s health. A proposed strategic approach and principles to tackle this countywide will be presented to the Board with a Recommendation for inclusion as an addendum in the West Sussex Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2019-2024.

31.1   The Board received a presentation (copy tabled at the meeting and appended to the agenda available on the website) on the Board’s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) 2019-2024. The presentation to the Board focused on cost of living pressures, and potential impacts on the local population’s health. A proposed strategic approach was outlined and principles to tackle this countywide with a recommendation to the Board for inclusion as an addendum in the JHWS. The Assistant Director (Communities) and the Chief Executive of Worthing and Adur Councils also provided a verbal update to the Board on the approach to addressing cost of living pressures across the county, and current work being developed and implemented to support residents and communities. It was noted that whilst the report specifically focused on the proposed cost of living pressures addendum to the JHWS, it was also important to highlight, that in addition to this, the JHWS will be reviewed in light of current national policy to ensure it continues to meet the health and wellbeing needs of residents and communities.

31.2   In discussing the presentation the West Sussex Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2019-2024 was considered and the Board;

·       agreed that an understanding of how Cost of Living pressures were impacting the population needed to be established to help effectively target the response and how the utilisation of place based quantitive data was important for operational insight;

·       stated that maximising existing services ensuring good accessibility was key as well as ensuring close partnership working;

·       pointed out that West Sussex County Council’s Community Hub which was established in response to the pandemic was being utilised to support Cost of Living pressures. The County Council was noted as working in partnership to support people and families who are struggling with the rising cost of living. The government’s Household Support Fund is being used to provide financial and practical assistance to people especially during this winter. Working closely with district and borough councils and charities the council’s Community Hub continued to offer direct support to vulnerable households, providing essentials such as food and supplies, as well as grants to those who are eligible. It was also noted that the 36 West Sussex libraries offer a warm welcome to all visitors and library staff are on hand to help advise people on topics, from money management to energy saving, job seeking and benefits guidance; 

·       suggested that food banks be utilised as the front-line delivery point to those in need and integrate this model into existing pathways;

·       pointed out that District and Borough Councils were seeing people who had not normally needed support, working people and those not previously affected by hardship;

·       considered that mental health support was required due to the link between deprivation and mental health;

·       agreed that supportive infrastructure should be collaborative with a good strength of messaging, adopting the same working practices used with Covid-19;

·       informed that the voluntary sector was being impacted in terms of fundraising difficulties and staff had received no uplift  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

The Assistant Director (Integrated Health) will provide a verbal update to the Board on the implementation of the local Integrated Care System and progress on the development of the Integrated Care Strategy for Sussex.

32.1   The Assistant Director (Integrated Health) provided a presentation (tabled at the meeting, copy appended to the agenda on the website) updating the Board, on the implementation of the local Integrated Care System and progress on the development of the Integrated Care Strategy for Sussex.       

32.2   It was noted that the aim was to achieve better health and care for all across Sussex, with everyone living longer, healthier, and fulfilling lives with access to the best possible services and support when required. With the oversight of the Sussex Health and Care Assembly, the Integrated CareStrategy was being developed, following a period of co-production and suggestions for content, capitalising on opportunities created by being part of an Integrated Care System (ICS).  A draft strategy was expected to be circulated to the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board virtually during November, for consideration of future planning implications before the final strategy is presented to the Sussex Health and Care Assembly in December 2022 for sign off.

This report presents the West Sussex 2022/23 Better Care Fund Plan and Capacity and associated Demand Plan for approval and summarises performance against the Better Care Fund national metrics for Quarter 1 2022/23.

33.1   The Board received a report that presented the West Sussex 2022/23 Better Care Fund Plan and Capacity and associated Demand Plan for approval and summarised performance against the Better Care Fund national metrics for Quarter 1 2022/23.

33.2   Following consideration of the report and plan, it was

         Resolved – that

i.   the West Sussex Better Care Fund plan for 2022/23, be approved;

ii.  the West Sussex Capacity and Demand Plan for Intermediate Care Services Q3 & Q4 2022/23; and

iii.  the West Sussex performance against the national BCF metrics at Q1 2022/23, be noted.

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.

34.1   In considering the Work Programme the Chairman raised the following key points;

·       the previous meeting asked for an Action Log and this would be implemented with effect from today’s meeting;

·       with respect to the request for reinstatement of the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Newsletter it had been agreed that the county council’s communications team will incorporate any Health and Wellbeing Board news into their communications letter to residents. This was noted as already having a circulation to over 200k residents; and

·       the request for an Annual Report from the West Sussex Safeguarding Children’s Partnership had been followed up and a report will be received at future meeting.

34.2   In discussing the Work Programme, it was requested that Cost of Living become a standard item at every meeting.

34.3   Resolved – that the Health and Wellbeing Board Work Programme 2022/23 be noted.

The next meeting of the Board will be held at 10.30 am on 26 January 2023.

35.1   The date of the next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board was confirmed as 26 January 2023.

The meeting ended at 12.22pm