Agenda and minutes

The Chair, Cllr Jeffrey Kaufman, welcomed attendees to the meeting.

Cllr Dr T Khong, Cllr Helen Loydall, Debbie Preston, Dr Varakantam, Kane Radford, Mark Braham, Malcolm Brown, James Naylor.

The minutes of the meeting of the HWBB held on 15 August 2017 to be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chair.

DC from Voluntary Action provided an update on progress made on the Dementia/Mental Health priority, since the last meeting.

DC provided a hand-out (see appendix 1) about the Oadby & Wigston and Blaby District Mental Health Forum, in addition to information about the proposed Dementia Alliance for Oadby and Wigston.

The Mental Health Forum’s key priorities are mapping; networking and disseminating good practice. The group has recently set up a Facebook page for information sharing and to raise awareness of some of the support that is available in the area. One of the key steps is the proposed Wellbeing Café for Oadby and Wigston. This will be trialled before rolled out across the borough.

DC confirmed that following several discussions with dementia services in Oadby and Wigston, there has been an expression of interest for a Dementia Alliance model, which would complement the work on mental health. The first steps will be to bring interested parties together to map current work in the area, identify what support is required and how people could work together for the benefit of the community. The date for this meeting is to be confirmed. Further information can be obtained from Dave Cliffe, Community Development Officer at Voluntary Action Leicestershire, dave.c@valonline.org.uk

DC confirmed his Community Development post ends in December 2017; therefore he is not in a position to take forwards the Dementia agenda. However there may be an opportunity for the new Local Area Coordinators to do this once in post. DC confirmed there were key challenges including getting people together and building confidence within the groups to start their own projects, as well as working together to access funding. He confirmed that early intervention with children in respect to mental health issues was important.

AM confirmed that two new services have recently gone live; Dementia service for Leicester and Leicestershire, with an aligned service for Rutland. This will support those with a diagnosis who have been admitted to hospital and provide support on discharge. It will also provide advice to carers.

AM informed the group that the jointly commissioned model for Mental Health has provided 7 contracts with three providers (Richmond Fellowship, MKH and Voluntary Action South Leicestershire). Richmond Fellowship is a 3 year commissioned programme aiming to provide advice, as well as community recovery support. Promotion is via the Local Area Coordinators; First Contact; Voluntary Action and GP’s. SR was concerned that the information has not yet filtered through to the GPs; SR to contact the Lead, John Singh.

Meeting attendees were split into two groups to provide an opportunity to discuss the following in relation to priority 2. Diabetes and Healthy Weight:

·         How we can better work together to help our residents

·         What support/action is needed

·         How will this action be measured

Diabetes: Feedback from the groups confirmed the need to have GP’s on board particularly for diabetes testing. It was clear that more work needed to be carried out to identify the hard to reach groups. Suggestions included setting up a Road show, to include diabetes testing, and information about healthy eating. Lloyds Chemist is one of the few pharmacists that carry out diabetes testing, encouraging others to do likewise would be beneficial. SR suggested a discussion should take place with the Pharmacists Association. Targeting advice to people’s needs is key. Lifestyle issues are not about lack of knowledge; it is more about a lack of time. Discussion also took place about the referral process and whether this could be simplified.

Healthy weight: Breakfast clubs in schools to address obesity levels in children (play sport and have breakfast), especially in the lead up to exams/SATS.

More education for secondary schools pupils, campaigns etc. On-going messages about the importance of drinking water.  Utilise the Unified Prevention Board’s, up seasonal campaigns, which includes keeping active, staying warm, flu jabs and healthy eating.

CB from Leicestershire Libraries confirmed there are changes to the Libraries moving forwards, in order to cut costs. ‘Library Plus’ will be a facility that is not staffed, but visitors can self operate (taking out books and returns). There will be times however when staff will be on site and opening times will be longer and include evenings. This is running as a pilot scheme in Syston currently.

A number of other attendees provided information/leaflets about the range of programmes being delivered locally including FLiC, LEAP, Dementia Carers Support Group and Leicestershire Libraries launch of Reading Well Long Term Conditions. AL highlighted the opportunity for organisations to promote their campaigns, activities and events via the Council’s newsletter ‘Letterbox’. All information to be forwarded to AL by Monday 16 October, at the latest, in order to be considered for inclusion.

SR provided an update about the new 2.1 NHS Summary Care Records (SCR) see appendix 2. The SCR is an electronic summary of key clinical information, (including medicines, allergies and adverse reactions about a patient), sourced from the GP record. It is used by authorised healthcare professionals, with the patient’s consent, to support their care and treatment. SCR 2.1 is a second version which is being distributed, following on from the original SCR posted out to individuals 3 to 4 years ago. It is a more detailed record, which requires individuals to opt in.  This version will provide access to more detailed records, vital in time of need. There will be no mail-out this time, due to costs. Forms are available at GP surgeries, or can be downloaded from the website.

Next meeting to be held on Wednesday 24 January 2018.