To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 16 September 2015, as a correct record

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered.

There were no additional declarations in interest.

There were none.

Presentations by representatives from each CCG.

The Board welcomed Julie Hunt, Director of Performance Delivery and Dr. Su Xavier, CCG Consultant in Public Health from Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG, who gave a presentation on challenges and strategic priorities; commissioning intentions for 2016/17; the impact and demand Ebbsfleet Garden City would have on health care services and statistics in relation to Swanley.

The Director of Performance Delivery  advised that CCG’s priorities for 2015 – 2017 were  linked to Kent Health and Wellbeing Board outcomes.  Other specific CCG priorities included bringing together geographical teams to work together with patients through Integrated Primary Care Teams and Integrated Discharge Teams and  reducing the number of people requiring emergency hospital care. Paramedic Practitioners to work alongside GP surgeries to carry out the GP home visits to free up GP time and reduce the amount of being admitted to hospital had also been introduced.  They have also introduced a paramedic practitioners to work alongside GP surgeries, they carry out the GP home visits to free up GP time and reduce the amount of people being admitted to hospital.  In April 2016 a review of urgent care and out-of-hours services would be undertaken to enable services to be more accessible.

An increase of 50,000 people was expected as part of the Ebbsfleet development over the next 15 years which would impact funding and services. The London Paramount development would also have an impact on budgets as it was predicted there could be 90,000 visitors a day and not additional funding for those visitors used the local health services.

The biggest challenge facing the CCG was funding that had not yet been secured, but in the three years that the CCG has been in operation, a lot had been achieved and the transformation of services was crucial for sustainability through partnership working.

In response to questions, the CCG consultant advised that it was difficult to show outcomes from investing in preventative measures but through partnership working with Health and Wellbeing Boards and other voluntary sectors it was hoped this would be improved.

The Board thanked Julie and Su for attending and agreed the CCG should be invited to a future meeting to discuss the work on preventative measures.

The Board welcomed Dr. Bob Bowes Chairman of the West Kent CCG who gave a presentation on West Kent’s CCG priorities and commissioning of services. He advised that both the Council and the CCG had similar priorities in relation to health such as obesity, mental health, older people and alcoholism. Health inequality was a problem and some areas had very deprived streets compared to other more affluent streets. Similarly to Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG a key focus was keeping people in their homes rather than in hospital and to streamline processes for hospital visits.

In response to a question, the Chairman of West Kent CCG advised that there was not always a take up of GP’s making referrals to the Council for people who are overweight to use the gym facilities. The Health and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Verbal update by Cllr. Searles and Geoff Parsons

The Chairman welcomed Cllr. Searles and advised that Members had received a briefing note from Geoff Parsons regarding the Dementia Friendly Communities Project in Swanley and that Geoff was taking the lead in making Swanley a Dementia Friendly Community.

Cllr. Searles advised that he was the Chair of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services (ADSS). Dementia was the overarching term and under it fell different types of Dementia. It was estimated that 850,000 people were suffering with Dementia and by 2050 this would have increased to 2 million. Only 50% of people suffering from dementia have been diagnosed with the disease, there were still many people who are undiagnosed, particularly due to the stigma around mental health issues. There was a need for more people to be trained in awareness of Dementia and this would help reduce the stigma.

ADSS was creating a Dementia Hub in Northfleet which was similar to gateways but there would be a range of other service providers at the hub and it was hoped that there would be more to follow in Kent. Members were informed that Link, the Swanley Gateway, had Dementia friendly signage which helped those suffering with Dementia to find what they were looking for, e.g. toilets.

Members discussed the impact Dementia can have on families and carers and it was important for them to be supported. Members were informed that there were support services out there and a funding assessment for respite care could be applied for via Kent County Council. Healthwatch were looking closely at the provision of homes for respite care and there should not be a change in current figures. The Health and Communities Manager advised that Dementia Friends training was available for Members and staff. There were Memory cafés at community venues in Sevenoaks town, Hartley, West Kingsdown, Swanley, Westerham and Edenbridge.  They had different speakers that provided users of the cafes with information on specific topics. It was a place for those suffering with Dementia and their carers to relax and talk to people in similar situations. The Healthy Living Project officer attended Dementia forums which Members were welcomed to attend.

Action 2: For Health and Communities Manager to circulate dates for the Dementia Forums.

Verbal update by Steve Inett

The Board welcomed Steve Inett the Chief Executive Officer from Healthwatch who gave a presentation which explained about Healthwatch.  Members were informed that Healthwatch were the consumer champion for health and social care who aimed to improve services by ensuring  local people’s voices were heard. They also provide free information and were a signposting service to other health organisations.

He advised that Healthwatch England were the overarching organisation and each Healthwatch could report issues or concerns which could be escalated to NHS England. Information was collected by the users of services contacting Healthwatch. The information was logged and stored to see if there were any trends. Information was also gathered by attending local health meetings including Kent County Council’s Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee, to raise issues that they have been made aware of. Healthwatch is also represented on the Kent and local Health and Wellbeing Boards. He advised Members of their strategic priorities and how Members could get involved.

Members thanked Steve Inett and welcomed him back to a future meeting of the Board.

The Health and Communities Manager advised that the Council received Healthwatch’s annual report and this would be circulated to Members.

Action 3: for Health and Communities Manager to circulate Healthwatch’s annual report.

Adult Health Improvement Services and

Health Visiting and School Public Health Service

The Health and Communities Manager presented a report which provided details of Kent wide Public Health Consultations on ‘Adult Health Improvement Services’ and ‘Health Visiting and School Public Health Service.’ Draft responses to the consultations were tabled and Members were asked for any further comments to be submitted by Friday 4 December 2015.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Health and Communities Manager presented a report on the Council’s health priorities and how they could be delivered through existing functions for a holistic approach to health improvement. She advised that The Kings Fund had published a report on District Council’s contribution to public health, which focused on seven key areas. Following initial results from the Community Plan consultation three key themes for the Council were: obesity, older people and mental health.

Action 4: for Health and Communities Manager to circulate the Kings Fund report.

Following a presentation, Members were asked to consider five portfolio areas and how each could impact health in the District particularly in relation to Mental Health, Obesity and Older people and how these could be explored in the Advisory Committees.

Action 5: for Health and Communities Manager to circulate results.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

It was agreed to postpone updates from Members’.

The work plan was discussed and it was agreed to move the Dementia Friendly update to a future meeting of the Board and add Mental Health Strategic Partnership, digital inclusion and safer homes to the March meeting.