Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the following Board Members: Paul Bentley, Integrated Care Board (ICB) Representative, Kelly Cogger, Acting Assistant Director Children’s Social Care, Andrew Stradling Medical Director (interim) Medway & Swale Health & Care Partnership.

Apologies for absence were received from the following invited guests: Adrian Richardson, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, and Dr Caroline Rickard, Kent and Medway LMC.

To approve the record of the meeting held on 21 November 2024.

The record of the meeting held on 21 November 2024 was agreed and signed by the Chairperson as correct.

The Chairperson will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he/she has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report. 

There were none.

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct. Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 4.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

This report introduces the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board’s (KMSAB) Annual Report for April 2023–March 2024.  The Annual Report sets out the responsibilities and structure of the Board and details how the multi-agency partnership delivered against its strategic priorities for the year.  The report also provides information pertaining to safeguarding adults reviews and safeguarding activity.

Discussion:

The Independent Chair, Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board (KMSAB) introduced the annual report which detailed the multiagency delivery of priorities for the year.

Discussions took place around the increased unacceptable abuse experienced by carers and staff in front line services. The Board was informed that services had specific plans and processes in place to manage instances of abuse of care staff.

In response to questions on maintaining achievements, the Board was informed that finding support for carers must remain a priority, the ability to engage and deal with reported crimes was at the forefront of the work undertaken by the Police. It was also vital that lessons were learnt to reduce occurrences of repeated mistakes. It was however acknowledged that there was often strain in the system in areas such as resourcing which may affect the ability to meet priorities, but they were always exploring ways to address issues presented.

It was asked how the private sector was engaged and worked with the KMSAB. The Board learned that good links had been established and were being maintained through regular meetings with groups such as the Kent Integrated Care Alliance. It was vital to ensure that the private sector had a firm understanding of safeguarding and that they were fully supported.

It was asked what areas Medway performed well in, what could be done better and how the Health and Wellbeing Board could support the work of the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board. The Board was informed that Medway’s unitary response was very effective, as well as the ability to bring its partnership together to address issues, there was recognition that continuous improvement was needed, whilst remaining positive and confident to step into difficult and challenging situations. There was improvement to the response of issues which was driven by confidence in reporting.

Board Members commented that the introduction of Medway Intensive Support Team (MIST) was a good initiative and an innovative way to finding solutions to issues identified.

In response to questions around how data was being shared and how ensuring that actions were being taken as a result of findings in the report, as well as ensuring that self-assessment tools were being used, the Board was informed that the focus was on improvement in practice.  The Board was advised that the KMSAB self-assessment framework sets the safeguarding standards that agencies must meet. Agencies grade themselves red, amber or green and must present their update and evidence to a peer review team. There was a quality assurance working group in place made up of all agencies and their job was to ensure quality of delivery and measure delivery against standards put in place.

It was made clear that as society continued to grow, there would be increase in safeguarding reporting. It was also important to note that the same safeguarding issues continued to occur and that what good looks like did not always equate to a reduction in safeguarding numbers.

It was added that it was often not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 696.

Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) are under a duty to produce a Community Safety Plan to formulate and implement a strategy to reduce crime and disorder, combat substance misuse and reduce re-offending. This report provides information within the annual Strategic Assessment (see appendix 1) on the CSPs current priorities. The CSP Plan forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework and will cover the period from 2024 to 2027.

Discussion:

The Board received a report on the annual strategic assessment of the Community Safety Partnership’s current priorities.

Members then made comments and raised questions which included the following:

The landscape of Medway was evolving and changing due to new developments coming through, designs of which were key in terms of community safety. Focus was needed on the safety of cycling and walking infrastructure. Officers in attendance agreed and continued to work together to address issues by reviewing designs of infrastructure in sufficient time to explore what solutions to bring forward, adopting preventative measures and responses to issues. There was a small team in place that was able to focus on targeted areas and worked well to identify areas of poor behaviour.

It was commented that the plan needed to evidence the impact of measures and clearly highlight measures that worked well and evidenced learning. The Board was advised that officers would explore what could be provided in terms of metrics and showed the direction of travel in future reports.

In response to a comment that when the community were asked what they expected in addressing community safety, what they wanted was not always reflected in actions, the Board was informed that partners worked hard to ensure and improve community engagement in all their activities. They continuously shared information on problems being dealt with, which were not limited to but included issues such as serious violence and county lines. The work of the partnership was crucial and ongoing to ensure the safety of the community.

It was asked how the partnership worked with the Youth Service, and it was commented that prevention was a key element in addressing youth crime, through targeted investment in health and education from early years. The good work undertaken by Child Friendly Medway, in particular the work with girls and women in empowering them to confidently manage issues with unwelcomed attention or behaviour, was commended.

Officers said that there was a child centred policing team in place, with officers undertaking qualitative work through engagement with young people in schools. There was also a Safer Streets Board in place that worked with children on areas such a littering and recycling to build on and expand their moral compass.

Decision:

a)     The Board noted the report.

b)     The Partnership to work with planning officers on safety of open places, cycling and walking infrastructure.

c)     The Partnership to ensure engagement with the community was central to their work.

d)     The Partnership to provide evidence based progress in future reporting arising from agreed actions.

The Medway Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-2028 process has officially commenced, with key activities currently focused on data collection and public engagement. Completion of this report is mandatory under the Health & Social Care Act 2012.

Discussion:

The Interim Deputy Director, Public Health introduced the report which provided an update on progress of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA).

The Board were advised that various sources of data were being analysed and considered to understand pharmaceutical need. The data collection process would conclude on 17 February 2025 and would include:

·        Insight from engagement with key stakeholders such as local pharmacies and resident groups.

·        Analysis of population demographics and health needs.

·        Collation of pharmaceutical service provision across Medway which includes all providers, dispensing pharmacies, appliance pharmacies and community pharmacies.

One of the methods used to understand need and gain insight was through the use of surveys. Findings to date suggested a total of 974 responses which represented the considerable efforts made by communications colleagues, Healthwatch partners and the PNA steering Group. This time around approximately 32% of contractors completed the online survey compared to 64% in our previous PNA.

Concern was raised regarding the low participation from contractors. The Board was informed that there were four dispensing pharmacies in Medway and two responded. Further discussion would take place at the next steering group meeting on how this could be addressed.

It was asked what impact activities of pharmacies had on this PNA, such as the ability of GPs to send prescriptions online, due to changes in the nature of dispensing medicine. Additionally, it was asked what effect the cost pressures pharmacies experienced impacted this PNA. The Deputy Director, Public Health said that these questions would be better addressed by the Local Pharmaceutical Committee colleagues and would obtain a response from them for the Board.

Decision:

The Board noted the update report.

At the 21 November 2024 Health and Wellbeing Board, it was agreed to theme future board meetings in line with the strategic priorities set out in Medway’s Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2028 (JLHWS).

Discussion:

The Board received a report which detailed the proposed areas from theme 1 ‘Healthier Lives for Everyone’ that would be presented for discussion at the next meeting on 10 April 2025.

The report also included a summary of the latest data for the strategic indicators in the Goals and Purpose sections of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Discussions took place regarding the unvaccinated population and what could be done collectively to increase uptake. Partners on the Board acknowledged the low uptake amongst staff and provided assurance that as well as increased promotion in the community, targeted work to encourage front line staff, care providers, home care staff, residential homes and all staff that served the community of Medway continued to take place and remained a priority.

The Board was informed that the decreased flu vaccination uptake was not specific to Medway and that this was an issue across the whole of the South East. In response, infection control teams were being set up to commence targeted work in the summer ready for the autumn/winter months.

It was agreed that Board members needed to continue to raise the importance of staff vaccinations which had a knock on and detrimental effect on the community.

Decision:

a)     The Health and Wellbeing Board agreed the proposed areas from Theme 1: ‘Healthier and Longer Lives for Everyone’ (see paragraph 5.2) that would be presented for discussion at its next meeting on 10 April 2025.

b)     The Health and Wellbeing Board noted the report providing the latest data for the strategic indicators in the Goal and Purpose sections of the JLHWS (see appendix 1).

The report advises the Board of the forward work programme for discussion in the light of latest priorities, issues and circumstances. It gives the Board an opportunity to shape and direct the Board’s activities.

Discussion:

Members considered a report regarding the Board’s work programme, and it was suggested and agreed that items on the rise of caesarean sections as well as Children in Care and how their health needs were being met, be added to a future meeting.

Decision:

a)     The Board agreed the work programme as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.