The members received the above report.

In order to meet one of the criteria of the Health & Wellbeing Board, there is a requirement to produce a Health & Wellbeing Strategy for Wirral. This strategy should be based on the needs of the population and then translate into actions that collectively address the underlying problems and lead to improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Wirral. It should also provide the members of the Health & Wellbeing Board with the opportunity to

·  explore local issues that previously may only have been addressed in isolation

·  develop a consensus on priorities to be addressed across the system and how to make use of collective resources in order to achieve them

·  formulate local decisions that drive service change (e.g. investment/disinvestment) according to local needs and to ensure local engagement with local communities.

The Board was advised that the results from the initial survey show that there were clear issues around alcohol and older people.

The draft strategy will be completed at the end of January 2013 and in line with the results of the initial work will focus on the areas of dementia and alcohol.

In considering the report, Cllr Phil Davies suggested that the link to the action plan is key and was interested to hear members’ views on the suggested framework.

Graham Hodkinson said that he would be interested in the relationship between the JSNA and the Status Review, which is due to take place, which could be an opportunity to bring in good practice.

Cllr Tom Harney referred the members to table 1 of the JSNA report “Responses to priorities any key issues identified”. He considered that in terms of producing a list of categories there was a danger that the said categories would be covering symptoms of other issues that needed to be addressed. He further considered that there is perhaps the need to look at other evidence and to conduct a reality check on what is happening and to go and actively talk to the people of the Borough.

Tony Kinsella responded by saying that any decisions made would have a strong evidence base to support any actions that were approved. Fiona Johnstone endorsed this by saying that the strategy would be outcome based with a prioritisation process based on what partners and the public were saying. Pragmatic decisions would be taken and there would be quite a number of steps to be followed before the first draft would be ready in January.

Dr Mantgani asked members to be mindful that real health issues need to be dealt with as well as the need to understand what impact poverty has on health for instance, which may be beyond the scope of the Board. However, he went on to say that there is a good track record in Wirral of all partners working together, as so often people with employment issues will pass through the primary care system at some stage. Julia Hassall also requested that the family as a whole be considered in any discussions regarding prioritisation of services.

It was resolved that:

·  The JSNA framework, as presented, be adopted to produce the Health & Wellbeing Strategy. 

·  The first draft would be ready for review in January

·  It will be further debated at a development session in February. 

·  It will be endorsed at the March meeting.