Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the HWBB held on 08 January 2021 to be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chair.

Vivienne Robbins, LCC Consultant in Public Health

Ms V Robbins provided the board with a general overview and update of research on inequalities.  Overall Oadby & Wigston sits in the middle for many measures.  The borough is better than the national average for children in absolute poverty and low income families.  However is below average in a number of areas, including uptake of various screening programmes.  Work toward reducing the life expectancy gap has been successful and for the first time in 6 years, the male gap is lower than the national average, although there is still work to be done on this area. Vivienne confirmed that through collaborative working with the Health and Wellbeing Board, ‘life expectancy’ between the most deprived areas and the most affluent communities in Oadby and Wigston is as follows: Males moving from 13.7 years in 2014-2016, to 8.2 years difference in 2017-2019; and Females moving from 10.7 years in 2014-2016 to 7.7years in 2017-2019.

Ms V Robbins will provide the group with a more detailed figures breakdown via email.

The impact of COVID is starting to immerge and it is likely to be felt for a number of years.  There is a lag on data but some current data is showing a reduced uptake in people accessing routine services/ screenings.

K Radford asked for updated Health Profiles for the borough.  Ms V Robbins, said these could be provided although may be a delay due to COVID work that is currently ongoing.   

Action: Ms V Robbins to provide the group with updated figures, including initial data, potential impact of selective licences and updated health profiles. 

The new Population Health Management can be found in Appendix 1.

Dr Richard Palin

Dr R Palin reported that we are starting to see the benefits of the COVID vaccine, with numbers of patients/ deaths/ intensive care beds falling.  O&W update numbers are high and currently working through the age groups.  Some difficulties for GP’s with people been called in different ways. 

There is some knock on impact to other health programmes, i.e. screening rates have dropped and this will be the PCN’s next focus.

Still working out the impact of long COVID, both in terms of those experiencing symptoms and those with anxiety of coming out of lockdown.  A long COVID recovery website is coming, containing general information and opportunities to speak to GP’s about symptoms.

Overall the PCN has had a positive year in terms of working closer with the Croft and some success in expanding Health & Wellbeing team.  Have tried to keep up to date, used video/ telephone consultations, which have worked well.

There were some concerns around receiving the second dose.  Surgeries are working with different approaches, some booking in advance.  In terms of the borough public health message some work to be done around reassuring people it is safe to get vaccinated and encourage people to take up when offered.

In general routine screenings are taking place and people are encourage to take these up when called. 

With the pause in shielding at the end of March it is anticipated that there will be a decrease in referrals.  Main focus of referrals are currently around fuel poverty.  The council is looking at how the hub can be structured and organised going forward.

The Council has received £88,000 from government for 2 Health Improvement Officers, who will sit within the Community and Wellbeing team, working closely alongside other health professionals.  Main focus will be recruiting Community Champions, who will be volunteers within the borough and will assist with promoting information, including screening appointments etc.

Ben Clark-Monks, Environmental Health

Scheme came into force in May 2020, with a grace period due to COVID and applications are now being processed.  There is currently around 60% engagement with landlords, but is a fluctuating market.  They can issue a 1 year licence for properties that need work doing to them, before issuing the full 5 year licence.  Currently engaging with managing agents and will then look to work with private landlords as well.   Some concerns were raised around it being a digital only application, B Clark-Monks reassured that support can be offered.

Hussein Khan

Sue Renton

Working on a long COVID recovery app which users can be referred by GP and supported by Sue’s team.  A Health & Wellbeing Coach will be starting in April, focusing on recovery.  Also two Mental Health roles will be joining alongside other potential roles.  Group will focus on events, campaigns and influencing health and wellbeing across the borough.

K Radford provided a short updated of the current plan and requested partners feed in to the new plan going forward.  An email will be circulated to capture views, including from those agencies/ partners not able to be present at the meeting.

K Radford stated that although the year had been challenging good work had been done by the Board, including the delivery of a Stoptober campaign and mental health campaign. 

A discussion was had around recovery from the impacts of COVID and reassuring people about safety returning to activities/ groups whilst reminding that one vaccination does not cover everything and following social distancing advice will be required.

Concerns were raised around groups and organisations that may have been impacted financially, including Age UK, which is closing.  There are on-going conversations around what happens to their building and how people can work with/ get information to service users.

The Terms of Reference have been updated to reference COVID, these were approved by the Board.

K Radford asked the sub-groups to come up with KPI’s, alongside Community Champions and physical activity elements to feed into the new plan. 

Action: K Radford will circulate a template.

Dr R Palin will be stepping down as Clinical Director for O&W PCN, the role will be taken as a job share from April.  Cllr J Kaufman thanked him for his contribution to the Board.

There was no other business raised by attendees.

Additional HWBB, 25 May 2021 (1:30 pm) to Sign Off 2021-2023 Health Inequalities Action Plan

Date of next meeting – 25th May 2021 1:30

Meeting closed 15:10