Agenda item

Report of Strategic Director, Integrated Adults and Social Care

Committee received an update report on the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) for the period October 2022 to March 2023.

It was noted that part of the key role of the HWB, alongside developing its own strategy, is in terms of influencing other strategies. Last year the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) and Integrated Care Board (ICB) were set up and the ICP was required to develop an integrated care strategy for the ICP area.  The HWB was consulted on the strategy throughout its development and the Board considered it at length. The HWB must then have regard to the strategy when making decisions.

In terms of the ICP Strategy the HWB made a number of comments on the draft document. In particular, the Board felt there was not sufficient focus on the best start in life and focus on prevention and preventative measures needed to be strengthened.  The HWB also made representations around recognising the importance of place in terms of the determinants of health and wellbeing.  It was confirmed that the comments and representations made by the HWB during consultation were incorporated into the final strategy.

It was reported that the HWB received an update on the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy for Gateshead. The HWB was informed of how the strategy was developing and priorities identified as well as an update on the new SEND inspection system. The HWB also received the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report, which focused on women and health inequalities, the recommendations of which were endorsed by the Board. In addition, the HWB received a presentation by Gateshead Health Trust’s Corporate Strategy. There was an awareness of the need to link this Corporate Strategy to the HWB’s own strategy for Gateshead.

It was noted that the HWB also considered an options paper around the governance at Place, given the guidance in relation to ICBs.  The HWB supported the development of a Joint Gateshead Place Committee between the local authority and the ICB.

Committee was advised that a planning session was held on 10 March 2023 around the future direction of Gateshead Cares (Gateshead Health and Care System).  The key messages from the session included transparency and honesty in addressing where progress is required in terms of health inequality gaps that have not been bridged, to provide a more targeted approach. Accessibility for service users, how communities are reached and a focus on prevention was also a key message from the session. Challenges were also highlighted in relation to workforce across the health and care system. Committee was advised that this issue has also been raised through the Joint ICS OSC.  The planning session also highlighted the need to make the best us of data to inform work programmes.

During the reporting period the HWB received information regarding alcohol related harm and the evidence that Minimum Unit Pricing has an impact on reducing consumption. The HWB noted that the prevalence of alcohol in everyday lives impacts upon communities and adoption of a similar approach to tobacco is required.

The HWB received regular updates on the work of the Gateshead Cares System Board. In terms of the HWB’s assurance role it received; Health Protection Assurance Report, Gateshead Better Care Fund Submission 2022/23 reports for sign-off.  The HWB also considered other issues such as; delayed discharges, Winter Pressures Plan and Family Hubs implementation.

It was questioned what money and resources will come from the NHS.  It was noted that functions and resources could be allocated to a Joint Place Committee, if agreed, which would offer a pool of resources. However, it was noted that this will take time. It was also acknowledged that both the local authority and the NHS are working together to address health and care challenges, therefore it is more important than ever to build on partnership work to-date to make the biggest change to people’s lives.

It was questioned as to whether resources can be released from the NHS to manage people outside of hospital settings. It was confirmed that a lot of discussions have been held with Directors and ICB Strategy Leads around how pressure in the system can create problems, for example through assurance requests from NHS England, and how this can be better aligned.  It was acknowledged that workforce is crucial and this is unlikely to be resolved in the near future, however a lot of regional work with Local Enterprises is being held with young people to encourage an uptake of careers in health. There is also joint work being held around placement opportunities and career pathways work, however this will all take time. It was noted that money has been received from Government for hospital discharges but this payment is a one-off and it was acknowledged that structural change is needed.

The point was made that there is need for a flexible system with stability, for example reducing the use of zero hour contracts. It was acknowledged that there are problems in terms of recruiting into social care and hospitals, there are multi-layered issues and it could be years before the initial impact of recruitment initiatives are seen. In the meantime there is a focus on retention of existing staff, for example through looking at creating more salaried workforce whilst still recognising that some staff prefer the flexibility of zero hours contracts.

Committee was advised that there are concerns regarding the difficult economic environment in particular in terms of competing with recruiters from other sectors. It was noted that Sunderland University is running a ‘mini-medics programme’ with investment from Amazon, targeting local primary schools with good uptake.  It was noted that there is also work in primary schools through the ICP in Gateshead and the North of Tyne on a ‘mini-scrubs’ project. The aim of this is to ensure health and social care careers are in the children’s conscience.

It was reported that the third Social Worker through the apprenticeship scheme has graduated. There are a further 12 people on degree apprenticeships in social care at present.

RESOLVED    -           That the Committee noted the progress update on the work of

Gateshead’s Health and Wellbeing Board for the second six months of 2022/23 as set out in the report.