Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ron Beadle, Cllr Paul Foy, Susan Watson, Bill Westwood, John Maddison, Sheena Ramsey and Elaine Devaney.

RESOLVED:

(i)            It was highlighted that John Pratt’s apologies were not noted at the last meeting held on 19 October 2018, the apologies will be updated on the online records. All additional minutes were agreed as a correct record.

Members of the Board to declare an interest in any particular agenda item.

RESOLVED:

(i)            There were no declarations of interest.

The Board received an update from the Action List highlighting matters arising from the meeting on 19 October 2018. It was noted that updates on the Gateshead Health & Care System Approach and the next JSNA Update/Refresh will both feed in to the Board’s Forward Plan in addition to an update on the Integrated Care System/Integrated Care Partnership.

Dr Mark Dornan advised the Board of the upcoming publication of the NHS long term plan which is expected before Christmas. It was noted that the plan with cover topics such as ‘Best Start in Life’ and ‘End of Life/Frailty’. It was further noted that aspects of governance, ethos and ways of working are also to be outlined within the plan.

The Board discussed the potential influence the Plan  may have on streamlining and improving services for patients. Further discussion also took place regarding the NHS and its integration with external service providers and its appropriateness. An update was provided on key areas of work being progressed by the Gateshead Health & Care Partnership including: the development of a MoU for the Partnership’s place-based approach to health and care integration; budget planning work across the local system; the development of a Gateshead Plan; and looking at performance, quality and finance reporting through a system lens as well as data/information requirements to underpin our programmes of work.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Board noted the verbal updates provided.

The Board received a report to provide an update on the delivery of children and young people’s Mental Health services in Gateshead and the progress made his year in the mobilisation of ‘Getting Help’ and ‘Getting More Help’.

From the report the case for change was summarised noting that there has been emphasis on the crucial importance of early intervention in emerging emotional and mental health problems for children and young people.

The Board were advised that the children and young people’s mental health service is mainly commissioned by Newcastle Gateshead CCG. It was noted that currently, investment is 7.4m which includes a contribution of £180k by Gateshead Council. A detailed breakdown of cost was provided within the report for the Board’s information.

From the report the Board were provided with a summary of the prevalence of mental health in the population of 0 - 18 year olds across Newcastle and Gateshead.  Additional performance information was also detailed within the report illustrating waiting times and referral rates for the period April 2017 – September 2018.

The Board were provided with a summary of the proposals of the new service which included establishing a single point of access with phased access by referrers. It was also noted that a new online support service ‘KOOTH’ is being used and is proving effective amongst the young demographic.

It was acknowledged that the changes proposed in the report will not happen overnight. It was also noted that services are being challenged to strengthen delivery upstream and to work towards an intervention model. It was further noted that several challenges will be faced due to increased demand for the service – these included ensuring that multi-agency support services work towards a common goal.

It was asked what plans are in place to cope with increased demand for services; it was noted that plans are in motion to build capacity amongst the third sector in addition to the new trailblazer in schools and use of the KOOTH service. It was also confirmed that patient ‘assessment to treatment’ represents the start of their treatment.

A further question was asked regarding patients who do not attend; it was noted that these individuals may have not been brought to appointments by parents/carers and could be unfairly penalised. It was confirmed that all patients who do not attend appointments are contacted and that the appropriate support is put in place for families to ensure they can access services.

A comment was made noting that voluntary sector service providers have difficulty in providing services for patients with uncertain contracts in place. It was further noted that as a ‘whole system’ there needs to be a collective responsibility to ensure that the service is improving outcomes for children and young people.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Board received and acknowledged the update report.

(ii)          The Board agreed to receive a further update on progress in June 2019.

The Board received a report providing an update on the establishment of a cross organisational Deciding Together Delivery Group.

A summary of the report was provided on the assumption Board members had read the contents. It was noted that work priorities will include:

a)    Easy Access to Mental Health Systems

b)    Development of Integrated Physical, Mental Health and Social Care response for Older People (Including Urgent Response)

c)    Redesign of Older People Mental Health Inpatient Beds

d)    Redesign of Adult Mental Health Inpatient Beds

e)    Provision of Safe Haven Hub

f)     Increased availability of short term non-hospital crisis beds

g)    Development of Crisis and Home-Based Treatment Service

A comment was made that there is no specific voluntary sector involvement mentioned within the plans. It was further noted that some proposals within the report have been discussed for several years and that there are voluntary sector services that could provide support if they are factored in.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Board noted the contents of the report and agreed to receive further updates as part of the work plan.

The Board received a report to provide information on the current situation regarding permanent exclusions in Gateshead’s schools and strategies in place to address the issue.

It was noted from the report that permanent exclusions have risen dramatically since 2013/14. It was also acknowledged within the report that Gateshead has excluded a higher proportion of its secondary aged pupils than its north east neighbours.

From the report a summary of figures for permanent exclusions across both primary and secondary schools was provided. It was also noted that boys are more likely to be permanently excluded than girls in Gateshead which follows the national trend.

A breakdown of pupils who were permanently excluded was provided within the report as follows:

·         48% had current or closed CAF/TAF

·         22% were CiN or CP

·         7% were known to MARAC

·         7% were SEN

·         64% had one or more FTE

·         36% had more than one primary school

The Board were provided with a summary of strategies used to address permanent exclusions which included strategies such as ‘The Team Around the School’, Primary Behaviour Support Teams and also making use of the online Kooth service.

A question was asked of the statistics in the report as to why permanent exclusions have risen year on year since 2014; it was suggested that this is partly due to school academisation. A discussion took place on academisation with a comment made that the academy agenda is hard to unpick in terms of impact on exclusions. It was also noted that adverse early childhood experiences can lead to risk behaviours and drug/alcohol misuse which are some of the known reasons that give rise to permanent exclusions.

A supplementary report on permanent exclusions for the 2017/18 academic year was attached as an appendix within the agenda pack.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Board noted the contents of the report and agreed to receive additional updates as part of the work plan.

The Board received the annual report for endorsement from the Gateshead Local Safeguarding Children’s Board for 2017-18. Also, within the agenda pack was a copy of the Gateshead Local Safeguarding Board’s Business Plan for 2018-19.

The LSCB Annual Report provided details of developments for both the LSCB itself and its partner agencies including Gateshead Council. It was noted that key areas of work include raising awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation, permanent exclusions and other forms of abuse. The Board were provided with an analysis of the data within the report for information.

Within the LSCB Business Plan the strategic direction for the Board was outlined. It was further noted that three key areas have been identified for action which are leadership, challenge and learning. It was also noted that five key thematic priority areas have been identified, these were Voice of the Child, Communication and Engagement with the Frontline, Early Help & Intervention, Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing, Child Sexual Exploitation & Missing.

It was highlighted that a sub-regional partnership has been established to develop new ways of working; it was agreed that a further update on this would be presented at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Board endorsed the reports presented.

The Board received a report to provide an overview of the health protection system and outcomes for Gateshead as part of the Director of Public Health’s responsibility to provide assurance to the Board that the current arrangements for health protection are robust and equipped to meet the needs of the population – prevention, surveillance, control and communication.

From the report an update on screening was provided. It was noted from the report that the screening programmes commissioned by NHSE for which the DPH has an assurance role are:

·         Cancer screening

·         Diabetic Retinopathy

·         Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

·         Antenatal and new-born screening programme

The Board were also advised of the current coverage for routine childhood immunisation programmes in Gateshead. It was noted that achieving population coverage of >95% is important as this is the point at which the entire population is protected, including the 5% that are not vaccinated.

A discussion took place regarding the uptake of immunisation noting that there has been positive engagement with the Jewish community. It was also noted that there needs to be a broader message provided regarding uptake of the flu jab amongst staff as it not only protects individuals but those around them too.

A comment was made noting that there are inequalities between affluent areas versus those that are more deprived in terms of the update of immunisations and attendance at screenings. This was acknowledged noting that wider work is taking place to improve this.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Board considered and noted the report.

www.gateshead.gov.uk/Housingstrategy

A link to a consultation document on a Draft Gateshead Housing Strategy 2019-30 was embedded on the agenda for the Board’s meeting.

John Pratt of the Tyne and Wear Fire Service advised the Board of the current consultation on the Fire Service’s operational response model until 14^th January which can be accessed via the Tyne and Wear Fire Service website.

The Board were advised of a letter being sent to parents via the Gateshead Schools Forum, noting concerns regarding reductions to school budgets and the implications of this for their children

There was no other business.