Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J.Green, Councillor T. Smith, Dr A Mantgani, Wirral CCG, Ms S Cumiskey, Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership Trust, Mr D Allison, Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust, Ms A Clark, Healthwatch and Ms C Fish, Strategic Director Families and Wellbeing.

Members of the Cabinet are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Councillors C Jones and P Gilchrist declared a personal interest in all agenda Items by virtue of them both being appointed Governors of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust.

To approve the accuracy of the Minutes of the last meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Formal Board held on 13 February 2014.

(To Follow)

RESOLVED:

That subject to the addition of Ms A Roberts to the apologies for absence, the accuracy of the Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Formal Board held on 13 February 2014 be approved as a correct record.

To review the Terms of Reference and the memorandum of understanding for the Board.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Public Health which gave Members the opportunity to review the current Terms of Reference and membership to ensure relevant stakeholders were appropriately represented. The report also proposed sub-groups that would support the Board in delivering its responsibilities.

Ms Fiona Johnstone, Director of Public Health introduced the report and indicated that the terms of reference were to be revised to include the statutory requirement to develop the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. Another suggested amendment included the Board’s monitoring role regarding the development and implementation of the Better Care Fund plan.

In relation to membership, it was proposed that consideration be given to the membership of the Board to include representatives from, Police, Fire, Housing and job centre Plus.

In relation to membership, The Chair indicated that he had received a number of representations from the police and fire authority requesting to be part of the Board.

In response to a Members request, Mr Carbery, Business Manger agreed to circulate to Members, the terms of reference for the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Development Group.

Mr Phil Jennings, CCG raised concerns regarding the proposal to increase membership of the board, as it was felt that this may create some capacity issues for the Board and health services.

In response, the Chair suggested that if the Board had an executive group that met in-between meetings, this would enable the Board to undertake its work programme.

It was suggested and agreed that the representatives as detailed within the report be added to the membership of the Board to be reviewed in six months to ensure there was no duplication of activity.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the proposed revisions to the Memorandum of Understanding of the Wirral Health & Wellbeing Board; and

(2)  the terms of reference and governance structure for the Health and Wellbeing Board sub-groups be approved; and

(3)  the representatives as detailed within the report be added to the membership of the Board to be reviewed in six months.

To update on the progress of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Public Health providing an update on progress in delivering the actions identified in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. A report on the delivery of the Strategy was presented to the Board on a quarterly basis with reporting by exception.

In relation to tenders, Ms Julie Webster, Head of Public Health indicated that there would be no stop/start of contracts this would ensure continuity of care.

RESOLVED:

That the exceptions reported against delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy together with action plans be noted.

To receive a presentation updating the Board on the development of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

The Board considered a presentation from the Director of Public Health updating on developments with the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment during 2013/14 and highlighting key areas for partners to consider in developing their commissioning and delivery plans.

·  Life Expectancy

It was reported that Wirral had the largest inequalities in Disability Free Life Expectancy (years spent free from illness and disease)of all local authorities in Wirral

·  Screening

It was reported that there had been an increase in uptake for screening; breast screening had seen an increase which was higher than the North West average 

·  Children and Young People

In relation to the target relating to breast feeding, this was below the national average, however, an event was recently launched to encourage new mothers to breast feed after birth.

Concern was raised as to the figures reported in relation to children living in poverty; there were big challenges to be faced by Wirral and partners to address this

It was reported that the Looked After Children rate in Wirral was higher than the national average, the Childrens Services Director and the department were looking at ways in which this could be improved.

·  Cancer

In relation to the reported figures, Ms Johnstone indicated that more needed to be done to assist partners to cascade the message and raise awareness.

·  Deprivation

This was a big challenge for Wirral. It was indicated that the Board needed to be satisfied that all partners had the right services and support in the more deprived areas of the Borough.

Mr Anthony Hassall, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Wirral University Teaching Hospital commented that the reported figures had been shared with the board at a recent meeting, and indicated that in relation to breastfeeding figures reported, the Director of Midwifery would be looking at this.

In response to comments, Ms Johnstone indicated that in order to tackle this, a collaborative approach from all partners was needed. There was also a need to test our vision against our services, to see where the Board and services could add value.

Dr Phil Jennings, Wirral CCG indicated that in relation to the indicators around smoking and alcohol, work being undertaken by health would tick some of the boxes, but suggested that the Local Authority could drive this through its business processes i.e. licensing applications. Progress made to date was mainly down to smoking cessation and diet.

In relation to life expectancy rates, and narrowing the gap in health inequalities, Ms Johnstone indicated that the Board needed to engage and work with the Constituency Committees who would have a huge role to play in tackling this issue.

In response to comments, Ms Johnstone indicated she would be looking at different approaches to increase public awareness and reported that currently the Environmental Health Department were working with schools, take away establishments and parents on a healthy eating initiative; this had received a good response with 200 families already signed up. It was suggested that the Public Services Board could be asked to look  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To update on progress in relation to Wirral CCG’s two year operational plan and five year strategic plan.

The Board considered the report of the Chief Clinical Officer, Wirral CCG informing of the planning guidance outlined by NHS England; timelines for submission and progress made to date.

The report also sought agreement from the Board on the reported incidents of medical errors and the planned levels of improvements for the quality premium requirements.

Dr Phil Jennings, Chair, Wirral CCG introduced the report and indicated that in relation the alcohol related admissions, work was being undertaken to reduce these further, this would remain a priority.

RESOLVED: That the Board agree that;

(1)  the  level of reporting of medication errors remains within the middle 50% of reporters and does not fall below the median;

(2)  the planned levels of improvement as laid out in the quality measures indicators are ambitious and achievable; and

(3)  the local priority of alcohol should be adopted with the levels of improvement.

To receive a presentation from Mr Phil Davies- Healthwatch, providing the Board with an overview of the role of Healthwatch.

The Board considered a verbal presentation from Mr Phil Davies providing an overview of the role of Healthwatch.

Mr Davies outlined the service provided by Healthwatch Wirral, volunteering opportunities, signposting and their Vision.

It was suggested and agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board which providing feedback on the issues that were raised by the community.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  Mr Davies, Healthwatch Wirral be thanked for his presentation; and

(2)  a report be submitted to a future meeting providing feedback to the Board from the community on their highlighted priorities.

To receive an update on the delivery of the tobacco control programme for Wirral.

The Board considered a report from the Head of Public Health providing an update on the delivery of the tobacco control programme for Wirral; highlighting recent local action taken by Wirral Council, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust and Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to reduce smoking rates.

The report further outlined the next steps in the development of the tobacco control programme to take account of existing and emerging challenges in the Borough to reduce smoking prevalence and health inequalities.

Ms Webster indicated that smoking was huge problem in Wirral which linked into the health and inequalities; there were still urgent challenges which impacted on reducing smoking rates. It was reported that the use of E-Cigarettes were increasing year on year and there had been a decrease in access to stop smoking services and in use of other aids to smoking cessation such as licensed NRT products (e-cigarettes) which were not regulated under the smoke free law in the UK.

Ms Webster indicated that she would be liaising and doing some work with Housing Associations on the implications of electronic and disposable cigarettes.

Ms McGee, Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership indicated that they were working with those organisations that did home visits asking them to talk to their service users regarding the impacts on smoking.

Mr Hassall indicated that this was a big issue at the hospital, but was something that the Chief Executive was looking to tackle; there was a lot of work being undertaken with patients and colleagues. However, this was not an easy issue to tackle within health organisations.

Ms Roberts, Voluntary and Community Action Wirral commented that e-cigarettes had now become a fashionable accessory amongst young people who don’t normally smoke.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the work of the Tobacco Control Alliance be noted and local and national action to reduce smoking prevalence be noted;

(2)  Board Members be requested to review their organisations correct activity to reduce smoking rates to ensure a consistent approach across all members; and

(3)  the new challenges to reduce smoking prevalence from e-cigarettes and disposable cigarettes and ensure steps are taken to mitigate the impact of these products by including sanctions against their use in local stop smoking policies and support advocacy and lobbying for better restrictions on sale be noted.

The next meeting of the Formal Board will be held on Wednesday 25 March 2014 at 4:00pm, Committee Room 1, Wallasey Town Hall.

The next Formal meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board will be held on Wednesday 9 July 2014 at 4:00pm, Wallasey Town Hall.