Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

Delegated decision:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on Thursday 14^th November 2013, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Members of the Board reviewed the Health and Wellbeing Board Action Log. In respect of Action 10, concerning the membership of the Board, the Chair, Councillor Shori, reported that soundings were being taken from other Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Delegated decision:

That the action log be noted.

The Chair, Councillor R Shori, invited questions, comments and representations from members of the public present at the meeting and the following issues were raised:

Councillor Walker highlighted the excellent work undertaken with stroke patients by the organisation Speakeasy. In response to a request to look into potential funding for this organisation, Stuart North, representing the CCG, undertook to raise the issue and report back to the Board.

Bury has received a £2.3m Sport England investment to increase the levels of women’s and girls participation in sporting and physical activity. Ben Williams, representing Sport England, explained his hope that there would be a wider sustainable legacy from the investment that would result in an increase of sport and physical activity across the board.

Dr William Bird gave a presentation to the Board setting out details of the harmful consequences, in terms of health and environment, resulting from an increased prevalence of physical inactivity. It was reported that 31% of the world’s population is not meeting the minimum recommendations for physical activity. 

The presentation set out statistical information relating to levels of physical inactivity in England and highlighted the physical and medical benefits of encouraging increased levels of activities. Dr Bird explained the importance of physical activity being seen as a first line treatment by medical professionals

The presentation identified the following positive actions that would help increase physical activity levels:

·                     Whole school programme to integrate physical activity.

·                     Transport policies that favour walking and cycling.

·                     Urban design regulations that promote leisure based activity across the life course.

·                     Physical activity and Non Communicable Disease prevention integrated into primary health care systems.

·                     Public education, including mass media to raise awareness and change social norms on physical activity.

·                     Community-wide programs involving multiple settings and sectors and that mobilise and integrate community engagement and resources.

·                     Sports systems and programs that promote ‘sport for all’ and encourage participation across the life span

Questions were invited from those present at the meeting and the following points were raised:-

·                     Board Members acknowledged the positive effects of increased levels of physical activity and recognised the importance of embedding this in primary care.

·                     With regard to physical activity being seen as a first line treatment, Dr Bird acknowledged that patients often expect a more technical diagnosis from their GP, but stressed that an explanation of the science could change this view. Dr Gibson highlighted the need for an education programme with front line health workers.

·                     In response to a question concerning post 16 sport within colleges, Ben Williams highlighted the work undertaken by Sport England to invest in Sports Development Officers within Further Education settings to develop links with community sport

·                     Members of the Board highlighted the importance of the benefits of physical activity being recognised with regard to dementia. It was stressed that the issue needed to feed into national government thinking around dementia care and prevention.

·                     Lesley Jones, Interim Director of Public Health, referred to the ongoing work around physical activity being undertaken through the Ageing Well Strategy and also actions within the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

          Delegated decision:

          That Dr Bird be thanked for his presentation.

Stuart North, Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, submitted a report setting out the draft operational plan, consisting of a set of declarations, metrics and information activity.

With regard to the measure within the operational plan relating to the “specified increased level of reporting of medication errors from specified local providers”, it was reported that a Greater Manchester approach was being sought.     

The report set out details of guidance relating to the requirements of the Strategic Plan and highlighted the following priority areas that had been identified:

§     Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke

§     Cancer

§     Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

§     Mental Health and Learning Disability Mortality

§     Liver Disease/Alcohol

§     Reducing unplanned activity

          Delegated decision:

1.            That the draft operational plan submissions be agreed

2.           That the decision on the Local Quality Premium Metric in conjunction with the BCF Metrics – Dementia as the priority for Local Quality Premium be confirmed

3.           That authority be delegated to Stuart North, Pat Jones-Greenhalgh and Councillor Shori to sign off the measure of ‘specified increased level of reporting of medication errors from specified local providers’, to obtain a GM wide approach.

4.           That support be given for the work to develop the priority areas for inclusion within the strategic plan.

Dave Bevitt, Chief Officer of the Citizens Advice Bureau, gave a presentation setting out the role of the Third Sector in Bury. The presentation set out the scope of Third Sector activity in Bury; included a number of case studies; and highlighted the following issues:

•       Pressure on external funders ( in particular local authority funding going forward) e.g. Pressure to reduce the £800,000 available from Bury LA Commissioning Fund

•       Digital Agenda – digital by default volunteer roles in developing skill and access for clients

•       Commissioning – social value and localism can be part of the commissioning process to support local groups.

•       Partnership working

•       Developing a  more entrepreneurial approach.

•       Data sharing through the JSNA.

During discussion of this item, Stuart North acknowledged the need to reduce bureaucratic processes within the NHS in order to better facilitate the Third Sector. Members of the Board recognised the importance of supporting the Third Sector within the commissioning process.

Delegated decision:

               That the presentation be noted.

Stuart North, Chief Officer - Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, provided a verbal update on the Healthier Together consultations that had been undertaken to date. It was reported that engagement with the public and stakeholders had taken place through the Township Forums, Carers Groups, Third Age University and Youth Cabinet

Delegated decision:

That the update be noted.

Lesley Jones, Interim Director of Public Health, gave a verbal update in  respect of the Community Well Being Assessment. The Interim Director referred to the work to scope the research; the exploration of options around the public platform; and capacity building.  The formation of the ‘Intelligence Hub’ is underway with recruitment to the vacant Public Health Intelligence posts.

Delegated Decision:

That the update be noted.

Lesley Jones, Interim Director of Public Health, submitted a draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy Dashboard setting out a number of indicators that can be directly matched against the Strategy measures.

During discussion of the dashboard, Members of the Board raised the issue of the timeliness of the information provided. It was acknowledged that that it is important for the Board to be mindful of the timeframe of the data.

With regard to Priority 4, Promoting Independence of People with LTCs and their Carers, it was reported that the indicators were still under discussion.

Members of the Board gave support to the format of the dashboard as a means of measuring performance and stimulating discussion.

Delegated decision:

That the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Measures dashboard be noted.

The Chair, Councillor Shori, reported that Andrew Ramwell would be stepping down from his position as Chair of Healthwatch and, as such, would cease to be a Member of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Shori, placed on record his thanks to Mr Ramwell for his valuable contributions to the work of the Board.

(Note: This item which did not appear on the agenda was allowed by the Chair to be considered as a matter of urgency to allow for Mr Ramwell’s resignation to be reported at the earliest opportunity.)