Agenda item

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.

The Health and Wellbeing Board is asked to;

(1)      Acknowledge and provide feedback on the progress of the West Sussex COVID-19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board (LOEB) since its’ inaugural meeting in July 2020; and

(2)      consider how the Board could further increase engagement with communities across West Sussex throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of infection and save lives. 

16.1   The Interim Director of Public Health provided an update on the progress of the West Sussex Covid19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board (LOEB) since its first meeting in July 2020. It was reminded that the LOEB was established as part of the Government’s requirements for the Covid19 National Test and Trace Programme and as a sub-group, is accountable to the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board.

16.2   The LOEB was noted as a key part of the governance structure for the West Sussex Local Outbreak Control Plan published on 30 June 2020 which, following review, was in the final stages of a substantial update. It was reminded that the LOEB’s Chairman was Councillor Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health and Chairman of the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board. It was reported that the LOEB had met on a monthly basis since July 2019, bringing together key systems leaders across the County Council and the wider health and social care system, applying its collective strength to reduce the spread of infection and save lives.

16.3   The Interim Director of Public Health outlined the purpose of the LOEB was to provide up to date and key information to the public during the pandemic. This includes the latest data, public health prevention messages, any changes to Government Policy  and keep the ‘Keep West Sussex Safe Campaign’ messaging. It was reported that the LOEB had been working with communication teams from West Sussex County Council and partners such as District and Borough Councils and the NHS to coordinate a collective communications approach. The Interim Director of Public Health informed the Board that the LOEB would continue to engage with local communities across West Sussex and welcomed any ideas or suggestions from Health and Wellbeing Board Members on how the LOEB could further increase its engagement with communities in West Sussex.

16.4   It was stated that the LOEB also received operational updates, when needed, on the programme of work around Covid19 including the Local Tracing Partnership, Covid19 Testing and the NHS Covid19 vaccination programme which was noted as the responsibility of the NHS.

16.5   The Interim Director of Public Health updated the meeting on the latest Covid19 data, as of today (28 January 2021), as follows:

·       West Sussex reached a peak of Covid19 cases two weeks ago and now numbers had begun to fall. The Seven day rate remained at 360 Covid19 cases per 100,000 people. Within this figure there was variance between areas of West Sussex such as the Covid19 cases in Crawley being 561 per 100,000 compared to the Covid19 cases in Mid-Sussex of  265 per 100,000.

·       The number of people infected over the age of 60 was reported as 278 per 100,000 people, again with a variance in areas of West Sussex such as 500 per 100,000 people in Crawley and 200 per 100,000 people in Horsham.

·       West Sussex figures were similar to the regional South East figures and National England figures.

·       The measure of testing how many people were Covid19 positive was reported as a good indicator of cases and spread.  At present there was a positivity rate of 10% in West Sussex (1 in 10 people found to be Covid19 positive). This figure was improving across the County.

·       It was noted that Hospital Activity had not seen an improvement with substantial numbers of people in hospital in West Sussex and the surrounding area. This had begun to level off but numbers were reported as not falling yet.

·       The numbers of deaths saw a peak during the first wave of Covid19, following the first lockdown there was a reduction in the death rate but a substantial increase had occurred in the last two to three weeks and was expected to continue to rise over the next two weeks. This was noted as a huge tragedy for all those involved.

16.6   In receiving the report, Health and Wellbeing Board Members;

·       discussed the need for key messaging on the pandemic to be accessible to all residents.  It was confirmed that the West Sussex County Council’s Communities Team was working with the voluntary sector, Faith Leaders, translators and local people to make sure messages were being heard by those residents that may not otherwise be reached;

·       confirmed that Covid19 communications were accessible and had been produced in an Easy Read format;

·       agreed that the Director of Communities and the Chief Executive of Community Works would discuss Covid19 communications, outside of this meeting, to ensure any further messaging avenues were explored;

·       noted the severe levels of pressure that Health and Care Services were working under with a determined effort to manage the situation;

·       acknowledged the Bereavement Services that were working tirelessly, across the system, providing necessary and fundamental support

·       pointed out the impact that the pandemic had on Mental Health in the community and suggested that this impact be tracked alongside transmission rate reporting. This was agreed as an action moving forward.

16.7   Resolved – that the Health and Wellbeing Board;

(1)  acknowledged, with feedback, the progress of the West Sussex Covid19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board since its’ inaugural meeting in July 2020; and

(2)  agreed to explore a further increase in engagement with communities across West Sussex, throughout the Covid19 pandemic, to reduce the spread of infection and save lives.