Any interests not already registered

Cllr Searles declared that he was a Governor of Darenth Valley NHS Trust.  

With the agreement of the Chairman it was decided that the order of the agenda would be changed.

The Members of the Board agreed that they were happy with the Terms of Reference.

The minutes from the Health Liaison Board would go to the Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee. If further discussions were necessary on specific topics these would be referred to the Committee.

Members of the Health Liaison discussed the topics they would look at over the next year. The Chairman suggested that, in addition to its liaison role, the Board look at the health priorities in the Community Plan.  It was also thought that Dementia should be a key priority.  The Head of Community Development said that dementia was also a key County priority. Projects were being developed. Looking at Dementia and Alzheimer’s would fit in with the Community Plan.

Autism and Asperger Syndrome was also discussed as a topic for the group to look into. This was a topic that would be covered under Barriers to Learning in the Community Plan.

The Local Children’s Trust Boards had been disbanded by the County Council. Local organisations hoped that a partnership looking at children’s issues would carry on. The County Council had suggested that former Local Children’s Trust Board matters should now be dealt with by Health and Wellbeing Boards.

There was currently a consultation regarding the future of Children’s Centres across the county which would finish in October 2013. This would need to be responded to and the Head of Community Development said that Officers would consult all Members in order to draft a Council response as Children’s Centres were widely regarded a key local services.

The Health, Leisure and Tourism Manager understood from the Manager of the Children’s Trust in Edenbridge that there were concerns that it was seen as a Satellite Centre and not a hub. It was a vital facility as Edenbridge was isolated. A response to the consultation was being addressed at a local level.

A presentation on dementia would be arranged for a future Health Liaison Board meeting. Members asked that Carers First also be invited.

The Health, Leisure and Tourism Manager informed the Board that there would be an event on 9 August in Swanley. It would be for the Voluntary Sector, carers and sufferers of Dementia to take part to identify gaps and focus for a new pilot scheme called ‘Dementia Friendly Communities’.  This was a county-wide scheme being piloted in Swanley.  Members suggested that it should also reach more rural areas around Swanley and that the Housing Associations should be included.

Feedback from the workshop would be given to the Board at its next meeting as this would be a good starting place for the Board to identify a focus.

Cllr Searles gave an update from the Dartford Gravesham and Swanley (DGS) Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). At the next meeting three priorities would be identified to take forward. There would be more to report after this.

Cllr Searles also reported that Monitor had asked that the merger between Dartford, Gravesham and Medway be put on hold. In order for mortality rates in Medway to be investigated. Consideration was being given to whether Darenth Valley Hospital could merge with South London NHS Healthcare Trust rather than Medway.

There had been discussions regarding the new 111 emergency telephone number.  A general comment presently was that it was not working efficiently and that people were not using it. Hospitals were more open about the rising costs and these were now being shared with the public. Patients were being encouraged to see their Doctor rather than go to A&E due to the increased costs associated with hospital admission.

Dementia cafés were held once a month in Swanley and Sevenoaks and were well supported. There were pilot Dementia buddy schemes running in other areas.

Presentation

The Health, Leisure & Tourism Manager gave a presentation on the District Council’s contribution to Health. The presentation can be found at: http://cds.sevenoaks.gov.uk/documents/s12222/HLB%20District%20Action%20on%20Health%20presentation%20110713.pdf

(Cllr Searles left the meeting at 1:15pm)

The Chairman of the Board thanked the Health, Leisure and Tourism Manager for the presentation and requested that a copy be given to the Members who sent their apologies and the Portfolio Holder for Economic and Community Development.

Action 1: That the presentation be circulated to the other Members of the Board and the Portfolio Holder.

It was also recommended that the presentation also be given at Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee.

A press release and leaflet was tabled regarding the new provider for Patient Transport Services. It was agreed that it would be helpful to monitor this service.

To date there had not been any confirmed Terms of Reference or Delegated Powers from the County Board for the Health and Wellbeing Boards.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Health Liaison Board would be on 11 September at 12.30pm