The Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) is asked to consider the draft HWBS and to discuss the key delivery elements, including the need for joint commissioning and how these priorities will be reflected within commissioning plans as well as monitoring performance.  The Board is also asked to approve the draft strategy for public consultation.

The Board considered a report from the Director of Public Health that presented the draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy (HWBS) 2012-2016 for Central Bedfordshire.  The purpose of the HWBS was to help improve the health and wellbeing of all.  The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) had been used to identify three cross cutting priorities that the Strategy would focus on:

• improved outcomes for those who are vulnerable;
• early intervention and prevention; and
• improved mental health and wellbeing.

The Board provided feedback on the HWBS, in particular that the Strategy should include performance measures before it was issued for public consultation.   It was also agreed that the introduction section should reflect that the HWBS was based on priorities suggested by the JSNA.  Following the consultation, the Strategy would be submitted to the Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board for approval.

The Board considered the implementation of the Strategy.  It was agreed that the relevant Board members would meet to consider how the priorities would be delivered, and how they would link to existing Strategies and Commissioning Plans.

RESOLVED

1.            that the consultation draft of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy be approved, subject to the inclusion of the proposed performance measures and targets;

2.            that the public consultation period of 12 weeks be approved; and

3.            that the relevant Board members consider the delivery arrangements for the Strategy, including the need for joint commissioning and how the priorities would be reflected within commissioning plans, as well as the performance monitoring arrangements, all of which should form part of the report to the Board to be agreed in outline at the Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board in November 2012.

The first strategic commissioning plan for Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) sets out the vision, key areas of focus, and intended ways of working for the new organisation, which, from April 2013, assumed delegated responsibility for £478 million.  The strategic plan is due to be submitted as part of a portfolio of evidence for BCCG’s authorisation on 3 July, at which point it will convert from being draft to a live document.

The Board considered a report from the Director of Strategy and System Redesign, Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) that detailed the first strategic commissioning plan for the BCCG.  The Plan set out the BCCG’s vision, key areas of focus and intended ways of working for the new organisation which, it was anticipated would assume responsibility for commissioning services estimated to cost £478M from April 2013.  The Board noted that the plan was due to be submitted as part of a portfolio of evidence for the BCCG’s authorisation application on 3 July.

The Board acknowledged that the BCCG’s mission of ensuring, through innovative, responsive and effective clinical commissioning, that the population had access to the highest quality health care providing the best patient experience possible would have to be within available resources.

Members highlighted the need for the plan to distinguish between the needs of each local authority area covered by the CCG and to emphasise the importance of shifting the balance of care from acute to community based services.  The indicators within the plan would be localised in the future to help differentiate between Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough. 

Given the need for change in the way services were delivered the importance of effective engagement with stakeholders and residents before changes were made was emphasised.

The Director of Social Care, Health and Housing informed the Board that a paper on approaches to joint working will be tabled at the meeting on 6 September 2012.

RESOLVED

1.            to note that the BCCG had taken into account the findings from Central Bedfordshire Council’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment in the development of its commissioning strategy; and

2.            that the BCCG’s financial context and planned ways of working between now and 2015 be noted.

To secure the commitment of the Health and Wellbeing Board to children’s safeguarding.

The Board considered a report from the Interim Assistant Director Operations, Central Bedfordshire Council concerning the statutory responsibilities of all agencies for the protection of children.  The report emphasised the need for members of the Board to be conversant with their safeguarding responsibilities and that agencies should provide assurances that appropriate procedures were in place and were being adhered to. 

The Board noted that the responsible body for holding agencies to account with regard to safeguarding children was the Local Safeguarding Board (LSB) and agreed that existing systems would be used to address key issues, with exception reporting and a requirement for the Chairman of the LSB to present the annual report to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

RESOLVED

1.            to note that it was a requirement on all agencies to ensure the protection of children;

2.            that agencies provide assurances that their responsibilities were being discharged; and

3.            that the Board will receive reports by exception and that the Chairman of the LSB be requested to present the annual report to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

To receive a progress report on the Healthier Together Programme.

The Board considered a report from the Programme Director that provided an update on the progress during the pre-consultation phase of the Healthier Together Programme (South East Midlands Acute Services Review). 

New clinical models were being developed and a stakeholder event was scheduled for 27 July 2012  to enable discussion on the new models before a full consultation process was carried out in the autumn. 

RESOLVED

1.            that the update on the progress during the pre-consultation phase of the Healthier Together Programme be noted; and

2.            that the Board consider the new clinical models at the next meeting on 6 September 2012.

To receive an update on the key work items of the LINk in Central Bedfordshire, for consideration and note as required.

The Board considered a report from the Chairman of Central Bedfordshire LINk on current LINk activity and emerging issues around patient and public involvement through Healthwatch and the Clinical Commissioning Group. 

The Board congratulated Mr B Smith for his election to the role of Chairman of Central Bedfordshire LINk and acknowledged the work of his predecessor Mr M Coleman.

The Board welcomed the engagement of the public through the Patient Participation Groups and Healthwatch. 

RESOLVED

1.            that the current LINk work programme be noted;

2.            that the importance of the LINk legacy be carried into Healthwatch as part of the ongoing patient and public involvement agenda be noted;

3.            to note that the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group intended to develop effective arrangements for hearing the patient voice, including through appropriate relationships with Patient Participation Groups and Healthwatch.

To receive an update on progress to develop a HealthWatch Central Bedfordshire, outlining the particular risks and challenges around regulations, finance and local boundaries.  The report presents the approach being taken in response to these risks and challenges in order to establish HealthWatch Central Bedfordshire by 1 April 2013.

The Board considered a report from the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, Central Bedfordshire Council on progress with the development of a Healthwatch for the area.  The report outlined the particular risks and challenges around regulations, finance and local boundaries.  It also presented the approach being taken in response to these risks and challenges in order to establish Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire by 1 April 2013.

The Board acknowledged the public interest in the suggested closure of Biggleswade Hospital.  The Chairman of Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group confirmed that it had made no decision to close the facility.  A review of the bed provision was due to take place which would look at all community beds.

RESOLVED

1.            that the risks and challenges in developing the programme as outlined in the report be noted; and

2.            to note the approach being taken in response to these risks and challenges in order to develop Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire by 1 April 2013 (an updated timeline was attached at Appendix 1 to the report).

To consider the Work Plan.

The Board considered a report from the Chief Executive, Central Bedfordshire Council that set out a drafted work programme for 2012-2013 for the Board.  The Board acknowledged that a number of items would be added to the work programme, including a review of the opportunities for the future identified by the Council and the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

RESOLVED

that the work programme for the Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board be approved.

The Chairman advised the Board that Ginny Edwards from the Department of Health would be attending the next meeting on 6 September 2012.

No members of the public had requested to speak.

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the last meeting held on 29 May 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.