Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors E. Chicken, R. Dodd, G. Hill, C. Humphrey and R. Wilczek.

Minutes of the meeting of the Health & Wellbeing Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 7 February 2023, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of the Health & Wellbeing Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 7 February 2023, as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

To note the latest Forward Plan of key decisions.  Any further changes to the Forward Plan will be reported at the meeting.

The Committee considered the Forward Plan of key decisions (a copy of the Forward Plan has been filed with the signed minutes).

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Access to Dental Treatment in Northumberland  

To receive an update from NHS England on dental access in Northumberland and the support to for provision in Berwick.

Access to Dental Treatment in Northumberland

Members received a presentation from P. Fletcher, Senior Primary Care Manager (Primary Care Central Commissioning Lead – North East and Cumbria) from NHS England which updated the committee on the level of NHS dentist provision in Northumberland including the support for provision in Berwick.  (A copy of the powerpoint slides have been filed with the signed minutes). 

The presentation covered the following issues:

·       Confirmation that there was no ‘formal’ registration in NHS dentistry.  Patients could contact any NHS dental practice to access care. 

·       Dental contracts and provision were activity and demand led with the expectation that practices delivered and managed their available commissioned activity to best meet the needs of patients. 

·       The contract regulations set out the contract currency which was measured in units of dental activity (UDAs) that were attributable to a ‘banded’ course of treatment prescribed under the regulations. 

·       COVID- 19 pandemic and requirement to follow strict infection prevention control guidance had significantly impacted on access to dental care.  Demand for dental care remained high across all NHS dental practices.

·       NHS England also commissioned: urgent dental care services, Community dental, Specialist orthodontic service and Domiciliary care services. 

·       Since the last update to committee Burgess and Hyder Dental Group Practice in Berwick had closed.  This equated to a loss of 4300 UDA’s.  

·       The pressures and challenges being faced particularly with recruitment and retention.

·       Dental systems reforms, what had been achieved so far and next steps.

·       Berwick access.  It was noted that a formal market engagement had been undertaken to inform the procurement of a long-term sustainable contract to replace capacity lost from NHS contracts handed back.  However, this had not been as successful as hoped.  In the interim a number of options had been secured to help with access:

·       Additional funding offered to practices in other parts of the county.  Eight practices had taken up the offer with a focus on patients with an urgent/dental treatment need and nationally identified high risks groups, including children (Central and North Northumberland area).

·       Additional clinical sessions had been secured at the Newcastle Dental Hospital.

·       Additional capacity was to be provided by Northumbria Healthcare Trust community dental services to support access for vulnerable patients with additional needs that could not be met within high street practices.

·       North Northumberland identified as a priority area for workforce recruitment and retention initiatives aimed at incentivising dentists to come to work in the area which included offering a financial incentive and support to overseas dentists to gain entry onto the National Performers list.

In response to member questions the following information was provided:

·       Scottish Borders contracts worked differently to those in England.   They also had experienced recruitment and retention issues but were starting to increase capacity.  Officers had been working with colleagues over the border to share knowledge and experience.  It was hoped that some of the projects established here would start to have a positive reaction soon and increase capacity.  

·       The method of payments was explained for UDA’s to dentists.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Health and Wellbeing OSC Work Programme

To consider the work programme/monitoring report for the Health and Wellbeing OSC for 2022/23.

Health and Wellbeing OSC Work Programme

The Committee reviewed its work programme for the 2022/23 council year.  (A copy of the work programme has been filed with the signed minutes).

Members discussed possible topics to add to the Work Programme over the next twelve months, including:

·       Ambulance Service 

·       NEAS Quality Accounts

RESOLVED that the work programme and comments made be noted.

The date of the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 4 April 2023 at 1.00 p.m.

RESOLVED that the next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee be held on Tuesday, 4 April 2023 at 1.00 p.m. 

At this point the Committee adjoined to allow any members of the Family and Children Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (FACS) to join the meeting whilst the next agenda item was to be considered.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2021/22

To receive the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report for 2021/2022.  The report focuses on ensuring all children in Northumberland can maintain a healthy weight.  The report will be delivered by Gill O’Neil, Interim Director of Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities. 

Members of the Family and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee have been invited to attend for this item.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2021/22 

Members received the independent Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2021/22 which focused on healthy weight in children and highlighted the importance of creating the conditions to enable all children to be a healthy weight.  

The report was introduced by G. O’Neill, Executive Director of Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities, and a presentation made by K. Marynissen, Public Health Trainee.  K. Herne, Senior Public Health Manager was also in attendance.  A copy of the presentation and report has been filed with the signed minutes.

The key points of the Annual Report were highlighted:

·       Healthy weight was incredibly important for physical and mental health being associated with lower rates of anxiety and depression.  Children were more likely to do well at school.  Economically, there were huge benefits as obesity was the second highest burden on the NHS after smoking.

·       In Northumberland in 2020/21, 26.7% of children aged 4-5 years were overweight or had obesity and 40% by the age of 10-11 years.? 2021/22 figures were very similar.  Covid did have an effect with a national trend of increased obesity and there was still an increase on pre-pandemic figures.

·       Obesity was more likely to affect boys, particularly relating to severe obesity.  The Northumberland trend was following the national trend.

·       Poorer households were disproportionately affected by obesity.

·       It was now believed that obesity was not just individual responsibility but also caused by environmental factors.  

·       Poorer households had to spend almost half of their disposable income to eat healthily, whereas it was only 11% for the wealthiest fifth of households.

·       The cost of living crisis was creating increased use of food banks.

·       Breastfeeding rates were increasing in Northumberland over the last three years but was still below the national average.

·       Reliance on takeaway food had increased during the pandemic and this trend was continuing.  Advertising also tended to be for more unhealthy food.

·       Barriers to physical activity included access to equipment, confidence and skills.  Northumberland was a car dependent culture due to its rurality.

·       Schools were trying to add physical activity in the daily routine and provide healthy and nutritious food.

·       There was an issue for some families which were not eligible for free school meals but could not afford to provide a healthy lunch.

·       There was still a lack of recognition of weight issues amongst parents and healthcare professionals and a lot of stigma surrounding weight.  This made it difficult to breakdown some of the barriers.  

·       Northumberland County Council had recently signed the Healthy Weight Declaration and the Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy and there was a lot of good work ongoing.

·       Recommendations of the report were:-

·       Reframing our approach – moving from an individualistic approach to look at supporting children to live health, active lives through schools, the home, communities and healthcare systems.

·       Communication and sharing good practice – clarifying what support was available to help families achieve and maintain health weight and how to access the support.

·       Collaboration – develop a healthy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.