Due to Sir Robin Wales sending his apologies, Cllr Clive Furness chaired the meeting. Cllr Furness welcomed all to the meeting.

The apologies for absence were noted.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

The following actions were updated:

1. The event for the wider stakeholders to develop a view of the Health of the Borough is progressing well
2. Rachel Flowers (RF) provided a correction to this action and it was changed to: “A diagram illustrating the Clinical Commissioning Group will be produced”. This action will be owned by Carol Hill (CH).
3. Updates on the commissioning strategies would be presented as they appear
4. An update on HealthWatch was moved to the Board meeting in January.
5. No update regarding HealthWatch was given.
6. RF will circulate the Public Health Report
7. It was agreed that the action would be amended to take the form of a combined support letter for Newham. This letter would focus on the clinical benefits, concerns and expectations of the merger. The GPs from the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) will develop the letter with CH and Graeme Betts (GB)

Better Health & Wellbeing Board

Marie Gabriel (MG) updated on the Better Health & Wellbeing Board (BHWB) that took place on 17 November. The BHWB used this meeting to begin discussions around its future and to develop thoughts around how it would work with the Shadow Health & Wellbeing Board. The BHWB agreed that it could add value to the health agenda for the Borough. MG agreed to circulate the minutes of the BHWB meeting to all members (008).

Action:

The Better Health & Wellbeing meeting minutes (17/11/11) to be circulated to all members (008)

Commissioning Strategic Plan

Carl Edmonds (Senior Borough Manager, ELC) explained that a draft strategy would be available at the end of November. Project plans would also be developed from now until the end of the year. The project as a whole had received input from the “bottom-up” through using a community reference group that worked with Newham LINKs and ELC.

John Lock (JL) explained that the savings due to be made should be clearly articulated.

Dr Shah asked that usage of certain terminology could be checked and to make sure that “be-equipped” was added.

CH explained that the CCG integrated core model was being developed and would be available soon. A QIPP triangle had been developed to articulate this work and CH added that the four localities would break down into two GP groups.

CH stated that a pilot project for this work was going to take place to help develop the integrated core model. GB agreed that the council would support and work on the final Clinical Commissioning Strategy. 

Rachel Flowers (RF) provided a verbal update on the Public Health Report by outlining that a Human Resources concordat had now been agreed. Public Health England will shortly agree funding details but no additional information on this issue had been released to date. Further information on the role of Health and Wellbeing Boards had been now made available and on the transitional arrangements.

GB tabled a paper on “Improving the Health of the Public”. GB introduced the paper by outlining that there was no new information in it but the paper pulls together the issues and challenges the status quo. The first step of the work would be for Newham to create a Public Health paper and then share with colleagues in other boroughs. Subsequently a joint paper will be produced by the director of public health.

Key issues and opportunities of the “Improving the Health of the Public” paper were:

• Traditionally, Public Health has not been transformational in nature and this needed to change to capture resilience, skills and capability and how the economy / employment (work) affects health.
• Role of the Health & Wellbeing Board needing to influence broader public sector and use new ways of working and the Board will be challenged to lead on commissioning agendas. By having the responsibility for the JSNA and Health and Wellbeing Strategy there is any opportunity to set strategic direction.
• Public Health within local government is an opportunity to influence and shape the key functions of local government that include planning and transportation
• Opportunity for the potential to share services in new innovative ways and the Local Health Plan will give an evidence base for this.

Cllr Furness asked that members provide comments on each section of the “Improving the Health of the Public” paper.

Introduction

JL asked that the introduction section provides more detail on general changes and about doing things differently. Notably, influence on issues such as highways and leisure centres could be given.

MG commented that the penultimate paragraph of the introduction includes mention people being able to “shape” the decisions that affect them.

Cllr Laguda asked that an increased statement about the importance of education was added and highlighted the issue of unwanted pregnancy. Cllr Laguda added that taking ownership meant being resilient. RF added that people don’t often talk about health and the term needed to be defined.

New Ways of Working

MG stated that shared resources would mean that all are signed-up to the new ways of working.

Dr Shah added that there were many issues that could be added including late presentation of pregnant women.

RF explained that the concept of social impact bonds was very new and it was just one possible model that could be considered. However, it was agreed that the direction of travel from government was that changes like social impact bonds were necessary because they could leaver new funding. It was agreed that any scheme such as a social impact bond had to be right for the borough. Work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The HealthWatch agenda item was deferred until the next Board meeting.

Developing a Commissioning Strategy for Mental Health

CH updated that a workshop was due to take place on 7 December and invites had been circulated. The event would be a chance to develop working together and the Mental Health commissioning for the Borough. Paul Mullin was arranged to facilitate the event.

Developing a Commissioning Strategy for Children’s Community Health Services

GB updated that a step-by-step guide was in place and work was ongoing with GPs. The deadline of 2 December was viewed as ambitious and this was likely to change. The intention of the draft strategy was to open up discussions.

Developing a Commissioning Strategy for Housing

The update was deferred until the next meeting in January

The Forward Plan was noted and there were no additions.

The Local Account

The Local Account was explained as a self-assessed document for Adult Social Care. It would be used to engage with the public and stakeholders. The Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board would be asked to sign-off the document.

12 January 2012 at 7 pm

The date of the next meeting is 12 January.