Agenda and draft minutes

The following apologies were submitted:

Pete Campbell – Director of Children’s Services (Tim Browne – Assistant Director, Education & Skills, substitute)

Dr Sunaina Khanna – Solihull Primary Care Network

David Melbourne – Chief Executive, BSOL ICS

Louise Minter – Solihull Schools Strategic Accountability Board

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

There were no declarations of interest.

To answer any questions, if any, asked by any resident of the Borough pursuant to Standing Orders.

There were no questions or deputations.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th November 2022.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th November 2022 were submitted.

  RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th November 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Board to receive a BSOL ICS verbal update.

Lisa Stalley-Green provided an update on the following areas – BSOL ICS leadership, winter pressures and the new NHS planning guidance.

BSOL ICS leadership – Yve Buckland, the BSOL ICB Chair had temporarily taken up an appointment as Chair at University Hospitals Birmingham, to support the appointment process for a new substantive Chair at the Trust, as well as the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. Whilst Yve Buckland was undertaking this role for a six month period, the BSOL ICB Vice-Chair, Patrick Vernon, would be interim Chair, to support continuity.

Winter pressures – there had been significant pressure over the Christmas period, including a sharp rise in flu cases, which had increased demand on Intensive Care Units and Medical Inpatient Care – this had been managed effectively, to ensure patients received the treatment they needed. There had been a rise in children’s attendances with respiratory diseases in hospitals – as part of the winter plan, support had been diverted from Heartlands to Birmingham Childrens’ Hospital, to enable the effective management of pressures. Industrial action had also been planned for and managed well.

NHS planning guidance – new guidance had been issued, which largely focused upon accelerating the existing work being undertaken. This included ensuring people on waiting lists received surgery more quickly. It was noted that, despite the winter pressures, BSOL ICS remained on track on the two major measured waiting lists – the 104 week, as well as the 78 week waiting lists. Central Government had recently made announcements in regards to additional funding to support hospital discharge processes and BSOL ICS was working in close collaboration with the Council on this.

It was requested for an update to be scheduled at the next Health and Wellbeing Board on the BSOL ICS priorities for the next 12 months, following the issuing of NHS planning guidance.

ACTION – update to be added to work programme.

At the BSOL ICB meeting the previous day, Members had endorsed a recommendation to move to a Mental Health provider collaborative on 1^st April 2023, to bring all-age Mental Health services together.

Members raised the following queries:

·  Councillor Grinsell detailed how GP’s had seen a significant increase in children with respiratory diseases and infections, including scarlet fever and requested an update on this. She queried the work undertaken to ensure access to antibiotics.

·  Ruth Tennant confirmed all providers had experienced an increase in patients with respiratory conditions, including flu and Covid. There had been focus upon ensuring effective communications on accessing vaccinations. The volume of residents, including children, with scarlet fever had been noticeably higher than previous years – Ruth Tennant welcomed the work undertaken on this with schools, to ensure clear messaging to parent and carers. There had also been liaison across Public Health, BSOL ICS and local pharmacy teams, to ensure access to antibiotics.

·  Following a query regarding Strep A, Lisa Stalley-Green detailed how there had been an increase in parent carers presenting with their children at Walk-in Centres  ...  view the full minutes text for item 256.

This report provides an update from Solihull Together and other work being done at place, including an update from the last Place Committee meeting. 

Carol Andrew presented the update from Solihull Together and other work at place. The update included the support work being undertaken for Primary Care, the key issues considered at the last Place Committee meeting, as well as the Solihull Together Priority Programme.

Councillor Grinsell also updated the Board on how she had approved the allocation of the Adult Social Care Hospital Discharge Grant, in regards to the Better Care Fund.

Members raised the following queries:

·  Councillor Grinsell emphasised the importance of ensuring clear alignment between the Solihull Outcomes Framework and the ICS Outcomes Framework. She requested confirmation that a future report on this would be provided at the next Health and Wellbeing Board meeting.

·  Carol Andrew explained the Place Committee would receive an update on the ICS Outcomes Framework at its next meeting and it was noted a report was scheduled for the Health and Wellbeing Board in March.

·  Councillor Carthew highlighted how Strategic Housing Options with Care was being considered by Solihull Together, as part of its Ageing Well Priority Programme. He queried whether this could include lobbying for more Council housing with disabled facilities.

·  Jenny Wood explained how this piece of work was focusing upon understanding what housing options with care were currently available, what more may be required and where this would be best located in the Borough. As of this, local intelligence would be reviewed, including the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and Place survey feedback.

·  Jenny Wood detailed how, at the last Place Committee, the draft Adult Social Care Hospital Discharge Fund, as part of the BCF, had been presented and endorsed. Central Government had also made a further recent announcement on additional funding to support hospital discharges and further information was awaited on this. Locally, partners were working closely to ensure effective discharge processes, with a focus upon ensuring sufficient home care placement capacity, as well as wider support, such as therapy.

·  Councillor Ashraf flagged up how Family Hubs was included as part of the Solihull Together Children and Families Prevention and Early Intervention Priority Programme. She requested an update on this, including in regards to timelines.

·  Ruth Tennant explained how Family Hubs was a two year delivery programme. There was focus upon opening a site at the earliest opportunity, to allow learning and understanding going forward. A significant amount of parent carer engagement was being undertaken, to help ensure an effective service offer at the different sites.

  RESOLVED

The Health and Wellbeing Board noted the Solihull Place progress report and the updates on the following areas:

·  Ensuring access to support with social and financial issues

·  Update from the Place Committee

·  Update on the Solihull Together Priority Programmes.

To update the Board on work to coordinate and accelerate Solihull’s response to the increasing cost of living pressures.

The Assistant Director for Communities and Partnerships highlighted the following key points, as part of the response to cost-of-living pressures:

·  A robust local system of support was being developed, which was being accessed by people across the Borough.

·  There was increased demand across the Borough for information and advice – including in preparation for potential problems.

·  There had been a significant increase in people looking to access food.

The Assistant Director for Communities and Partnerships explained how they were seeing small food banks being established across the Borough, which was potentially drawing some of the donations away from the food bank network. There was focus upon encouraging all of the food suppliers to work together.

Members raised the following queries and observations:

·  Councillor Grinsell noted the instances of small food banks being established – she welcomed how they were addressing the immediate issue of access to food. She queried how these groups were supported to signpost people to access further relevant advice and information.

·  The Assistant Director for Communities and Partnerships detailed how, when they became aware of a new food bank, officers were linking in with them, to encourage them to become part of the wider food network.

·  Councillor Grinsell emphasised how the Here 2 Help leaflets had been extremely successful – she requested for this to be continued next year.

·  Councillor Ashraf also expressed her thanks for the Here 2 Help leaflets, detailing how it had enabled people to access advice and support. As part of the report, she highlighted the total rent arrears recorded under Housing Stress and requested further information on this.

·  Fiona Hughes detailed how, for Solihull Community Housing, rent arrears was currently running at approximately 4% of the total amount. This had increased by around 0.3% over the last 6 months.

Andy Cave provided an update on the following work being undertaken by Healthwatch Solihull, relating to cost-of-living pressures:

·  Prior to Christmas, Healthwatch Solihull had launched a cost-of-living survey, as part of the national Healthwatch England survey.

·  A high proportion of people responding to the survey were struggling. Healthwatch Solihull was focusing upon what this meant for peoples’ health and wellbeing.

·  Key issues people were reporting included having to reduce heating, which was causing subsequent problems for those with arthritis and other conditions. There were also instances of people struggling to afford specialist diets, which were required for medical reasons.

·  Healthwatch Solihull were looking to link with partner agencies on key issues arising from the survey at the earliest opportunity. A report on the findings of the survey could be shared at a future Health and Wellbeing Board meeting.

·  ACTION – findings of Healthwatch survey to be scheduled for information on the Board’s work programme.

The Assistant Director for Communities and Partnerships welcomed the key issues arising from the Healthwatch survey being shared, to allow consideration by the lead officers group.

Councillor Grinsell requested for an update on Solihull’s response to cost-of-living pressures to be provided at the next meeting, with a focus on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 258.

To provide the Health and Wellbeing Board on updates relating to:

·  Performance against the current Health and Well-being Strategy

·  Plans to refresh the Health and Wellbeing Strategy

·  Progress on developing a revised local outcomes framework 

·  Next steps for the Integrated Care Partnership Masterplan

The Deputy Director of Public Health presented the report, focusing initially on performance against the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Members were informed how, in regards to Priority 5 – Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic – a new Health Protection Board was established in October 2022. This Board had oversight of a range of indicators relating to infectious diseases, screenings and vaccinations. It was proposed that this Board produced an annual report, which was presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board in Autumn 2023.

ACTION – Health Protection Board Annual Report to be scheduled on Health and Wellbeing Board work programme.

The Deputy Director of Public Health also updated Members on the refresh of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It was proposed that the refresh of the Strategy was underpinned by a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), to be undertaken in the first six months of 2023.

The Deputy Director of Public Health also updated the Board on the ICS Masterplan, detailing how the feedback provided at the last Board meeting had been taken into account.

Members raised the following queries:

·  Councillor Grinsell raised the development of the new JSNA and requested clarification on when this could be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

·  The Deputy Director of Public Health explained the Story of Solihull, which would provide a snapshot of key data for the borough, including new Census headlines, up to date demographic data and key measures of health and well-being, would be presented to the Board in July. This would form part of a suite of products on an updated local JSNA web-page which would be regularly updated throughout the year with deep dives on key topics.

·  ACTION – update on the JSNA to be scheduled on the Health and Wellbeing Board work programme for July.

·  Ruth Tennant detailed the work being undertaken to coordinate the new ICB Outcomes Framework, ICS Masterplan, JSNA and Health and Wellbeing Strategy. She proposed for this to be considered at the Place Committee, to clarify timescales going forward.

·  ACTION – coordination of progress of developing the new ICB Outcomes Framework in the context of associated development of the ICS Masterplan, JSNA and Health and Wellbeing Strategy to be considered at the Place Committee, with an update on proposed next steps to be provided to the Health and Wellbeing Board, to include oversight and accountability arrangements.

·  Jenny Wood highlighted the ICB Outcomes Framework, noting how it was expected to include Solihull-related elements, as well ICS-related elements. It was requested for the update scheduled for the next meeting to include confirmation of the approach for the alignment of the development of both Place and ICB Outcome Frameworks.

·  Councillor Ashraf raised indicator 1.03 – proportion of children who are on track with their development at 2 years. She queried how this may include assessment of children to determine whether they have SEND conditions.

·  The Deputy Director of Public Health detailed how the mandatory check undertaken by health visitors included assessment of any potential developmental delay.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 259.

Health and Wellbeing Board to receive an overview of the process to develop the Enabling Strategy for Primary Care.

The Chief Officer for Primary Care and Integration, BSOL ICS, provided the Board an update on the development of the Enabling Strategy for Primary Care.

The overview of the process to develop the key themes for the Strategy was outlined – this included engagement events with primary care colleagues, feedback from local MPs and Councillors, as well as national best practice/guidance.

Members raised the following queries and observations:

• Councillor Grinsell welcomed the report, including helping to move away from the 8:30am rush to get a GP appointment, as well as a focus upon stronger links with partners, including pharmaceutical services. She also welcomed the development of a BSOL Estates Strategy.
• The Chief Officer for Primary Care and Integration detailed how there had been considerable focus on access, which demonstrated how a notable volume of activity related to wider services, such as debt and housing support. There was also emphasis upon developing different ways of dispensing prescriptions that worked for everyone. In regards to Estates, there was now significant collaboration across GP surgeries, as well as wider partners, including with community settings.
• Jenny Wood also welcomed the update, especially the focus upon collaborative work and signposting with partners. In regards to the Integrated Neighbourhoods Teams, the importance of effective links across Primary Care and wider services were emphasised, including with Social Care, Hospital Discharge Services, as well as Family Hubs. Anne Hastings also detailed the need for strong links with community and voluntary services.
• Andy Cave detailed the importance of ensuring clear messaging to the public on how to access services, to enable them to support the changes outlined in the report.
• The Chief Officer for Primary Care and Integration detailed how there would be focus upon how the goals of the Strategy would be communicated to the public. Significant work would be undertaken with communities, to help understanding of any proposed changes, as well as enable residents to inform and influence them.
• Ruth Tennant emphasised the volume of opportunities this Strategy provided for preventative work. She explained the potential for co-designing services and support at a very local level, with Primary Care and other providers linking with existing networks, including the voluntary and community sectors.
• Councillor Carthew welcomed the potential use of empty High Street spaces for the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, where a wide range of services could be co-located, including Clinicians, Council and Care providers.

RESOLVED

The Health and Wellbeing Board notes the overview of Enabling Primary Care in Birmingham and Solihull and the proposed next steps.

To inform Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board with an update on the Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership’s strategic priorities for 2022/23.

Lisa Stalley-Green presented the report, which provided an update on the delivery of the Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership’s strategic priorities for 2022-23. The points highlighted included the following:

·  The LSCP had recently agreed its vision ‘Listening, Learning and Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People.’

·  The vision was underpinned by the following values – respectful challenge, accountability, listening, learning and inclusion.

·  An update was provided by the work being taken forward now by the Partnership, following the Ofsted inspection held in October-November 2022, as well as the appointment of Sir Alan Wood as Commissioner by the Secretary of State.

·  The Partners had co-developed a joint multi-agency Improvement Plan and this was reported to the Improving Outcomes for Children in Solihull Board.

Members raised the following queries:

·  Councillor Grinsell requested assurances that the next steps outlined in paragraph 5.6, for completion in 2022, had now been completed.

·  Lisa Stalley-Green detailed the focus upon ensuring the next steps had been completed, to allow focus upon the delivery of the Partnership priorities going forward.

·  Councillor Ashraf highlighted how the next steps included ensuring there was a shared database/system for partners to record assessments and early help plans and queried whether this was Borough wide.

·  Lisa Stalley-Green detailed how sharing of information had been a particular area of priority for the Partnership. Partner agencies now had access to the electronic systems in place, whilst there had also been significant focus upon ensuring quality data was recorded and shared, including identifiers.

·  Jenny Wood welcomed the report and emphasised the importance of the inter-dependencies work with other multi-agency forums, including the Solihull Community Safety Partnership, Safeguarding Adults Board, Domestic Abuse Partnership and the Exploitation Reduction Board. It was explained how a multi-agency plan on a page summary had been developed to support this. There was also focus upon the oversight and mitigation arrangements for risks, across all the multi-agency Boards.

RESOLVED

The Health and Wellbeing Board noted the progress on the strategic priorities and action being taken by the Local Safeguarding Children partnership during 2022-23.

Health and Wellbeing Board to receive a Children’s Services verbal update.

The Assistant Director for Education and Skills provided the Board a Children’s Services Update, explaining how the Ofsted inspection of Solihull’s Children’s Services was scheduled to be published on 13^th January. He also detailed how Sir Alan Wood, the Commissioner appointed by the Secretary of State, had been working with partners since November. The Commissioner would be presenting his findings to the Secretary of State later in January, outlining his recommendations.

The Assistant Director detailed the work undertaken by the Improving Outcomes for Children Board, where new methods for measuring and driving progress were being developed.

The current pressures faced by children, young people, families and schools were outlined, with a significant increase in the number of pupils excluded. There was also increasing demand for Mental Health and Social Care Services. The Assistant Director requested that the increase in demand for Mental Health services to be considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Ruth Tennant detailed how the all-age Mental Health Delivery Plan would act as the starting point for this, which was currently being taken forward as a priority area by the Place Committee.

ACTION – that the increase in demand for children and young people’s Mental Health Services and the Mental Health Delivery Plan be considered at a future Health and Wellbeing Board meeting.

  RESOLVED

  The Health and Wellbeing Board noted the Children’s Services update.

Health and Wellbeing Board to be invited to consider the findings of the Solihull Place Survey.

The Head of Business Intelligence and Improvement presented the report, which outlined the key findings of the Place Survey, where local residents were asked about their local neighbourhood, community safety, environment, civic participation and wellbeing. She also outlined how the findings of the Place Survey were used, which included informing the work of the Community Safety Partnership. The findings would also be considered by partner agencies at the Place Committee.

Members raised the following queries:

·  Councillor Dicicco highlighted how the survey found that 52% of residents in North Solihull believed the using and dealing of drugs was an issue. He expressed particular concern about the abuse of nitrous oxide canisters and the severe health impact – Councillor Dicicco requested for this issue to be considered as a priority.

·  Ruth Tennant detailed the joint work being undertaken on this between Public Health and Clinicians at University Hospital Birmingham. This work would inform a local campaign, to be developed and delivered alongside local youth organisations, such as Urban Heard, as well as schools.

·  ACTION – Health and Wellbeing Board to receive future reporting on campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers of nitrous oxide canisters.

·  Lisa Stalley-Green raised the survey responses in regards to physical activity levels. She requested for this information, as well as any qualitative data, to be considered by the Place Committee.

·  Councillor Grinsell queried how the findings of the survey would be taken forward, as many of the responses related to crime and antisocial behaviour.

·  Fiona Hughes detailed how Solihull Community Housing delivered the Anti-social Behaviour Service and were using the findings of the Place Survey to inform their work.

  RESOLVED

  The Health and Wellbeing Board:

(i)  Noted the key findings of the 2022 Place Survey, and

(ii)  Noted how the findings of the survey were being used.

To provide a mid-year update on the progress Solihull Safeguarding Adults Board has made in achieving its strategic priority for 2022-23.

The Board was invited to consider the Safeguarding Adults Board mid-year update, for information. Jenny Wood, Director of Adult Social Care confirmed that if there were any comments or questions, they could be sent directly to her, if members wished, for distributing to the most appropriate responder, e.g., the Independent Chair.

Health and Wellbeing Board work plan attached for information.

The Health and Wellbeing Board work plan was noted for information.

Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board work plan attached for information.

The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board work plan was shared for information.