Agenda item

Report of Director of Public Health

Committee received a report on the 0-19 health needs assessment, consultation findings and the proposed model for the procurement and delivery of a 0-19 Healthy Child Programme service for Gateshead. There are three key areas of the Healthy Child Programme; Health Visiting, Family Nurse Partnership and School Nursing.

It was noted that this programme will reflect the work of the 0-25 programme board which has a broader remit of considering how health and social care services can work together better and develop an integrated health and social care offer.  It was also noted that the 0-19 review was necessary in order to fit procurement law and timescales.

The Health Needs Assessment incorporated performance data, a review of national and local evidence and guidance as well as consultations with service users and stakeholders.  Presentations were also received from other local authorities as to how they delivered their 0-19 services, these presentations showed examples of co-located health and social care, with some being commissioned out to external providers and some being brought in-house.  Following this work the service model was developed, it was noted that this model will be flexible and requires the future provider to work with commissioners to develop it further.

In terms of population projections it is anticipated that there will be a 14% increase in 11-15 year olds by 2024, therefore consideration needs to be given to the school nursing workforce in future years.

It was noted that within the children’s profile there is a large proportion of looked after children on a Child Protection Plan, the majority of whom are aged between 0-9, with the largest proportion aged 0-4 years old. The largest category for Child Protection Plans is due to neglect, this accounts for 62% of cases.  Therefore a focus of the 0-19 service has been on early help and how services such as Health Visiting and Family Nurse Partnership can support the early help offer.

It was acknowledged that there are a large number of children with special educational needs within Gateshead and although it is not the role of the 0-19 service to provide specialist nursing support, it is important to incorporate a health role for the purpose of developing Education Care Health Plans.

It was reported that the main issues that this service will tackle are; emotional health and wellbeing, childhood obesity, oral health, teenage pregnancy, homelessness and poverty, substance misuse, smoking, breastfeeding, accident prevention and self harm.

The service model for 0-19’s will incorporate the public health nursing functions, however this will be flexible to integrate with social care teams over the next couple of years. Through consultation with the public and service users the key findings identified five priorities;

·         Positive parenting

·         School readiness

·         Improving emotional health and wellbeing

·         Healthy eating

·         Risky behaviours

These key priorities were also the same as those identified by professionals through consultation with GP’s, education, children’s centres, YOT and Family Intervention Team.

Through the Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire, focused on children and young people aged 0-19 years old, this is used for population based interventions aimed at improving knowledge and behaviour.

The core service that will be commissioned is captured in the 4 5 6 model for Health Visiting and School Nursing, this aims to improve access, outcomes, experience and reduce inequalities. This will have children, young people and families at its centre.

It was noted that the specification will be published on 26 July. The contract will be awarded in December with the new contract to commence 1 April 2018.

Committee questioned the existence of female genital mutilation (FGM) and child sexual exploitation (CSE) cases in Gateshead. It was confirmed that there are cases of FGM in Gateshead and the Community Safety Team are monitoring this. It was agreed that an update would be brought back to the next meeting on this issue.

RESOLVED    -           (i)         That the Committee noted the information provided in

the report in relation to the health needs assessment and responses to the consultation work.

                                    (ii)        That the Committees comments be noted on the

proposed model and service delivery for the 0-19 public health integrated Healthy Child Programme to inform further development of the proposed model and specification.

                                    (iii)       That Committee agreed to receive an update on the

new service as part of its work programme for 2018/19.

                                    (iv)       That an update be provided to Committee on FGM and

CSE in Gateshead.