To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 5 February 2020, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Health Liaison Board held on 5 February 2020

Any interests not already registered.

For reasons of transparency Cllr Parkin declared that she was a user of G4S and the District Nurses.

The actions were noted.

The Chairman welcomed Bob Cook, the Head of Strategy & System Integration at Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and Dartford Gravesham & Swanley (DGS), Sue Braysher – Director of System Transformation & DGS Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) Programme Director to the meeting who gave a presentation which updated Members on the work of the NHS Kent & Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to development ICP in DGS and West Kent.

The new CCG created in 2020 was a merger of eight smaller CCGs and has developed four ICPs across Kent bringing together all health related organisations to collaborate together in local areas to work as one. ICPs were the vehicle for planning, co-ordinating and delivering health and care services at a local level within a defined geography and patient population groups.  Integrating health and social care was currently seen as the way to deal with an ageing population, which  was a priority given with increasing levels of frailty.  It aimed to focus on directing resources where it could deliver the best return on investment for the population. In the long term it was envisioned capitated budgets, directed at holistic need identified by joined up data sets would support better care, outcomes and population health improvements.

Members were advised of the key aspects of the Kent & Medway Integrated Care Strategy (ICS) draft principles, draft purpose, governance, initial priorities prior to COVID19 and areas where development was made.

In response to a question regarding advances in computer technology, Members were advised that it was important services were designed that reflected local community needs.  A West Kent Stakeholder Advisory Group had been set up to look at areas of care with partners and how these were then delivered, for the majority of people and other vulnerable groups.  Coronavirus had resulted in a shift of ways of working and meetings, with the reduction in face to face appointments, but still being able to offer appointments on the phone or face to face as needed. 

In response to further questions, Members were advised that data was generated through public health teams and local population health needs around Primary Care Network (PCN) footprints. Core services would be provided, but in line with local priorities there would be variants to meet these needs. It was important that the ICPs worked together to avoid a service postcode lottery. The data would be a live data monitoring system on an ongoing basis, which would be reflected with population growth. In addition, Members were advised that the ICPs were designed around the locations of acute hospital services and in each ICP there were variants. In the Dartford and Gravesham part of DGS, it was the most ethnically diverse area in Kent and Medway and therefore a focus of resources was on Covid-19 for this group, due to the high risk factors for high risk conditions. The ICP met once a month to share work plans and ensure a close connectivity to ensure similar work was undertaken.

Sue Brashyer addressed the Board, giving details of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The Board welcomed Tina Cook, DGS Commissioning Programme Manager for Local Care to the meeting. The Commissioning Programme Manager gave a presentation which updated Members on the DGS ICP Local Care programme. The presentation covered three main topics, which included: the local care model, evaluation of additional investment and response to Covid-19.

The aim of local care was to deliver an integrated health and social care model, that focused on delivering high quality, outcome focused, person centred and  coordinated care.  It ensured that services were easy to access and enabled people to stay well and live independently, for as long as possible, in their own homes. To provide this support, it was important that a holistic approach was taken. The initial focus had been on older people with complex needs.

A number of additional services were created to support older people, including a rapid response team, Multi – Disciplinary Teams (MDT) Coordination, Community Geriatrician, and Primary Care Home Visiting Services which was paramedic–led.

In response to a question, Members were advised that frailty concerns were being addressed. The Community Navigation Service allowed for self referrals or partner referrals. The Commissioning Programme Manager advised that she was aware of online exercise programmes but would looks into whether they were shared elsewhere.

The current priorities were evaluation and implementing recommendations for service improvement. Development of integrated system approach to supporting people living with frailty and adults with complex care needs. Seacole model, a whole system approach to boost integrated out of hospital rehabilitation for those recovering from COVID-19

 Resolved: That the report be noted.  

The Board welcomed Elaine Murray, the Chair of the Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Forum (SADFC). Members were given a presentation which provided an update on the work of the forum. This included achieving recent charity status and successes since 2016, together with being finalists and winning numerous awards.

Members were advised that due to Covid-19 the Memory Cafés had moved to Zoom and were taking place one a month. The Chairman of the Council regularly attended with the Vice Chairman. The Run, Walk or Push Against Dementia was one of the biggest fund raisers for the charity. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled this year but it was hoped to continue next year. In the three years of running, the event £20,000 had be raised.

The Chair of SADFC highlighted to Members the new Dementia Friendly Allotment project would be opening in September 2020, as an accessible space for people to come and enjoy the area and get involved.

In response to questions, Members were advised that it was hoped more Forget-me-not cafés would start in the future. For this to happen, more volunteers were needed to be the designated point of contact for each café. All of the cafés were run by volunteers. Going forward telephone befriending services would continue to be important for those people who have caring responsibilities for those with Dementia to offer essential support as well. Due to GDPR, it was harder to reach people, unless they had left contact details and were happy to be contacted.

In response to a further question, the Chair of SADFC highlighted some case studies that demonstrate the importance of the work the charity undertook. Particularly with a focus on a telephone tree that users of the Forget-me-not cafes had created, which emphasized the relationships that had been formed.

The Chairman thanked the Chair of SADFC for her attendance.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Chairman welcomed Allen Lanceley to the Health Liaison Board.

Allen gave a presentation and advised that the Dunton Green Shed Project had been running since October 2016 and was now in its fourth year and was fully self-funded. The project had been set up to help those facing social isolation. The shed project was all inclusive for those over 18.

The Shed Project was based in West Kent Housing’s your Abacus Furniture Warehouse, and had 15 Members. Due to COVID-19, the numbers in the shed at one time could only be 3, but in normal circumstances 9 – 10 people could be there.

Woodwork projects were undertaken including bird boxes, benches, schools equipment, upcycling donated abacus furniture and mud kitchens.  Members had a variety of abilities and a range of backgrounds. Health and Safety was very important and training and assessments were carried out prior to being allowed to use mains powered tools.

Allen, thanked Sevenoaks District Council for the support that had been provided, that included training first aiders and grant funding. Income was generated from charging for items which was to cover their costs only. If timber had come from a free source there was no charge. 

In response to questions Members were advised that Members came from the District, with the further being outside of the District in Tunbridge Wells. Recruitment had been via the Council’s InShape magazine, but being restricted on numbers it was hard to recruit new Members.

Members thanked Allen for his presentation.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

This item was deferred to a future meeting of the Board.

Cllr Dr Canet updated the Board that the Senior Action Forum had concerns for digital inclusions and many of the aging population were unable to access information. West Kent Housing were providing a programme on digital inclusion. Members discussed whether a ‘digital roadshow’ could be considered to ensure those in rural areas were included.

Action 1: For Head of Housing and Health to contact West Kent Housing regarding a digital inclusion roadshow.

Cllr Griffiths raised similar concerns that it was difficult to reach all ages and people. Technology moved at a fast pace and it was important that the most vulnerable were reached.

The Head of Housing and Health advised that with technology a discrete approach was needed for those who were homeless. It was being looked into whether the volunteers who had helped throughout lockdown could help with reaching those vulnerable people.

It was agreed that digital inclusion, update on CCG District Nursing Services and G4S update would be included to the meeting on 4 November 2020.