Agenda item

This report will provide an update on key Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) indicators.

This item has been circulated separately to the main agenda. The Chairman of the Board is of the opinion that it should be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency as permitted under section 100B of the Local Government Act 1972 to enable the Board to consider the matter at the earliest opportunity and to avoid adding to the volume of business programmed for the next meeting of the Board. The report was not available in time for despatch with the main agenda due to other COVID-19 related response activity in the Public Health team which had to take priority.

Discussion:

This report provided an update on key Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) indicators across all five themes of the Strategy. For the benefit of the Board, the Consultant in Public Health outlined the main successes and the ongoing challenges in Medway in relation to the indicators.

Members raised several points and questions including:

·       Impact of COVID-19 – with particular reference to mental health, asked to what extent the assessment of population need will change because of COVID-19 and therefore the priorities within the JHWS, it was explained that the JHWS was a live document which could be shaped by the Board and would evolve going forward. It was generally recognised that the health and social care system had transformed and there would be a future focus on population health management. This would involve a systematic approach to using data to understand what was happening in the population at a granular level and ensure that the health system and partners targeted the issues identified. This might highlight hidden harms present in the local population which have manifested owing to the consequences of COVID-19. One of the key issues, which could be considered a positive impact of the pandemic, was the emerging sense that addressing health inequalities was critical.

Referring to the comments on mental wellbeing, it was explained that there had been a very clear focus on this throughout the pandemic. A briefing note had recently been circulated to Board Members setting out local services for children and young people. Answering a question about the closure of leisure facilities during the second lockdown, it was explained that under the new rules unlimited exercise could be undertaken outside. The Council’s website provided further guidance in ways to remain active and information on Medway’s open spaces. A comment was made that individuals should be supported to manage their mental health. It was said that older people could have a role within the community to support this, which could also benefit them with respect to reducing social isolation.

·       Access to services during the pandemic – referring to examples of difficulties accessing child health services and support networks, a question was asked about how this would be addressed going forward. In response, it was explained that there were challenges around providing COVID secure services, but services could be provided online. Some support services could continue during the second lockdown and it was expected that government guidance would be published in due course.

·       Use of technology in primary care – acknowledging that, in some cases, use of technology may be beneficial, concerns were expressed in relation to and increased use of virtual GP appointments. A return to face to face appointments was welcomed. It was recognised that most clinicians would likely agree that there was an imbalance at the present time, it was reiterated that the challenge was ensuring COVID secure services for patients and professionals. With respect to the how GP services might be designed and delivered in the future, it was accepted that patient engagement and education were key. Hearing from a practicing GP, the Board were informed that there was an ongoing review into what has worked well over the course of the pandemic and what has not with a view to build on the successes in future service delivery.

Decision:

The Health and Wellbeing Board noted the update report including the update on the indicators contained therein as well as the comments made, as set out within the minute.