Agenda item

To receive an update on achievements against the theme of ‘Adopting a whole system approach to health and care’ and to refresh and propose amendments to priorities, actions and indicators or evidence of achievement for this theme. 

Members received an update on achievements against the theme of ‘Adopting a whole system approach to health and care’ and to refresh and propose amendments to priorities, actions and indicators or evidence of achievement for this theme.  The report was presented by Dr. Jim Brown, Consultant in Public health.

The following key points were raised.

•       ‘Adopting a whole system approach to health and care’ was one of four themes of the 2018-28 Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

•       The Systems Transformation Board (STB) had agreed to take ownership of this theme and set up a task and finish group to review and refresh the theme.  Membership was drawn from a number of bodies including the Health & Wellbeing Board, ICB, and Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust.

•       There had been improvements relating to smoking prevalence and percentage of physically active adults.  However, there was a worsening trend in alcohol related hospital admissions and self-reported wellbeing.

•       There were many examples of integration which had occurred within Northumberland across sectors such as healthcare, public health, education, social care and the voluntary and community sector, physical and mental healthcare.

•       It was proposed that the three priorities for the theme be updated as follows:-

•       Priority 1 – Refocus and prioritise prevention and health promotion.

•       Priority 2 -  Drive integrated, coordinated, personalised care, and user and resident involvement in the health and (social) care system.

•       Priority 3 – Ensure access to, experiences of, and outcomes from services that contribute to health and wellbeing are equitable.

•       Details of the relevant actions and indicators/evidence of progress for each priority were provided.

•       Other areas for consideration were:-

•       Whole system approaches to sexual and reproductive health and drugs

•       Improvements to dental access

•       Endorsements for integrated neighbourhood teams

•       Need to dovetail priorities and actions between themes.

•       Members’ comments were welcomed.

A number of comments were made, including:-

•       What was the scope of integrated neighbourhood teams and how would we know when we had one?  What tasks would be undertaken by an integrated neighbourhood team and how would they be measured?  How would this be done involving the community?

•       The issue of neighbourhood teams must not be allowed to drift.  The ICB was probably the most appropriate body to oversee this by way of a sub-group.  It would be important to engage with local communities to see what they wanted.  ICB agreed this was their lead to take further.

•       Dentistry was a problem area particularly in a county such as Northumberland which was a wide geographical and isolated area.  An ICB officer was leading on this challenging area which was also a national concern.

•       It was important not to duplicate work being undertaken by other organisations and as such drugs and alcohol is covered in the Safer Northumberland Partnership.

•       Rurality was an important lens for Northumberland when considering inequalities.

RESOLVED that

(1)    the achievements described in the report be noted.

(2)    the proposed amendments to priorities, actions and indicators or evidence of achievement for the theme be agreed.