To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Central Bedfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board for the municipal year 2014/15.

The Board were invited to make nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board. 

Dr Judy Baxter was nominated and seconded. 

RESOLVED

that Dr Judy Baxter be elected Vice-Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board for 2015/16.

Items 9 ‘Learning Disability Joint Self Assessment Framework 14/15’ and 10 ‘BCCG Update’ would be considered before item 6 ‘Enabling People to Stay Healthy for Longer’.

The Chairman advised the Board that he would include an item for ‘Public Participation’ after item 5 ‘Members’ Interests’.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the last meeting held on 2 April 2015 and note actions taken since that meeting.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Central Bedfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board held on 2 April 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Versallion declared a personal interest in the following items, as he was a Non-Executive Director at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital:-

·         item 8 – Better Care Fund;

·         item 10 – BCCG Update; and

·         item 11 – Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat within Central Bedfordshire.

The Chairman had received a request to speak on item 10 ‘BCCG Update’.  He agreed for the speaker to address the Board under the relevant item.

To note the Learning Disability Joint Self Assessment Framework.

The Board considered a report on the Learning Disability Joint Self Assessment Framework (LDJSAF).  The Framework had been completed and submitted in line with the requirements of NHS England and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).  The purpose of the LDJSAF was to assist Learning Disability Partnership Boards, Health and Wellbeing Boards, Clinical Commissioning Groups and Local Authorities to identify the priorities, levers and opportunities to improve care and tackle health and social care inequalities in their area.

The self assessment took place between the 17 September 2014 and

31 January 2015 and Members were provided with a breakdown of the outcomes.

Following the national benchmarking event in June, Central Bedfordshire had been placed in the top quartile.  There were still issues to be addressed such as transport, maternity and parenting support for people with learning disabilities and their families.  There was an active Learning Disability Delivery Partnership that would take forward the findings from the LDJSAF and produce an action plan. 

RESOLVED

1.         that the submission of the Central Bedfordshire LDJSAF to Public Health England be noted; and

2.      that the action plan be referred to the Learning Disability Delivery Partnership Board for implementation.

To receive a verbal update on the BCCG’s position including their financial recovery plan.

The Board received a verbal update from the Accountable Officer, Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG). 

During 2014/15 there had been a deteriorating financial position that had resulted in the BCCG incurring a cumulative deficit of £45m as at 31 March 2015.  Not all of the deficit could be attributed to 2014/15 as it had become clear that the surplus previously reported for 2013/14 had not taken account of all the costs incurred during the first financial year.  Therefore, a  deficit had been recorded for 2013/14 of £12.7m and a deficit for 2014/15 of £32.3m.  The BCCG would work towards reducing the debt whilst continuing to provide quality care, including reducing the number of unavoidable admissions and working towards the priorities set out in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. 

The Chairman invited the public speaker, Mr Gibson, Chief Executive Officer

Sight Concern Bedfordshire to make  statements in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme.  Mr Gibson commented on the BCCG financial plan.

The BCCG were working towards developing their Bedfordshire Plan for Patients whilst taking stock of the position they were in.  New management and governance arrangements were being established to make progress on stabilising and securing the BCCG’s finances.  The BBCG was committed to working with the Council to deliver joint commissioning plans for the Better Care Fund. 

The Health and Wellbeing Board appreciated the position the BCCG were in, but expressed their concerns in the delay in producing the Bedfordshire Plan for Patients and what, how any changes would affect the residents in Central Bedfordshire. 

NOTED

the verbal updated.

To receive an update on progress towards the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy priority of enabling people to stay healthy for longer.

The Board considered a report that provided Members with an update on progress towards the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy priority of enabling people to stay healthy for longer.  The report also identified the areas where the Health and Wellbeing Board actions would have the greatest impact on improving outcomes.  There were three main elements to support the delivery of this priority:-

·         prevention;

·         early identification; and

·         effective management.

RESOLVED

1.      that delivering high quality health checks remained a high priority and that the Board was committed to reducing variation by supporting and challenging those practices where performance needs to improve, be approved;

2.      that the constituent organisations of the Board confirmed their determination to reduce the harm caused by tobacco by signing the Local Government declaration on tobacco and the NHS statement of support for tobacco control; and

3.      that the progress to date in supporting local residents to stay healthy for longer be noted and that the next steps, as identified in paragraphs 9 to 15 in the report, be endorsed including an update on progress in six months time.

To receive a presentation regarding the current position regarding loneliness and isolation in Central Bedfordshire.

The Board received a presentation on improving outcomes for frail older people.  Programmes had been put in place to tackle loneliness and isolation which could result in a poorer quality of life for older people and carers, leading to increased use of expensive health and social care services.

Silver Line had provided a breakdown of the kind of calls they had received from residents in Central Bedfordshire.  Silver Line is a confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK which is open 24 hours a day where older people were able to phone for information, advice and friendship.  68% of calls from residents in Central Bedfordshire had been received after 6 p.m. or at weekends.  This data had provided the Council with good knowledge on how to support the residents and put in place plans that would inform commissioning arrangements and shape service design and delivery.

NOTED

that a further update report would be submitted to the Health and Wellbeing Board in due course.

To receive an update on the Better Care Fund.

The Board considered a report that provided Members with an update on progress with delivery of the Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan and on the requirements and recommendations set out in the BCF Operationalisation Guidance released on the 20 March 2015.

The expectation was that the Health and Wellbeing Board would continue to oversee the strategic direction of the BCF and the delivery of better integrated care, as part of their statutory duty to encourage integrated working between commissioners.  A Better Care Fund Commissioning Board had been established and met regularly to review progress against the plans approved by NHS England.  Work was ongoing to establish a Health and Social Care Provider Alliance which would support the whole systems transformation agenda.  The Section 75 agreement on pooled budgets was being developed and would need to be signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board at their next meeting on 7 October 2015.

The Board were made aware of the payment by result element of the BCF and that this may pose a risk to both Central Bedfordshire Council and the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.  A risk sharing agreement had been produced and would form part of the Section 75 agreement.

RESOLVED

1.      that the quarterly report submitted to NHS England on 29 May 2015 be noted; and

2.      to authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing and the Chief Accountable Officer of the Clinical Commissioning Group, to agree the quarterly Better Care Fund performance report for submission to NHS England.

To receive a verbal update on the next steps.

The Board received a verbal update from the Accountable Officer, Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group on the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat within Central Bedfordshire.  Since the last meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board the Concordat had been discussed at the Senior Officers Group. 

The  Senior Officer Group had agreed to take this work forward via the “panbeds group” and other local groups as needed.  The Senior Office Group would then provide feedback to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

NOTED

the verbal update.

To consider and approve the work plan.

A forward plan ensures that the Health and Wellbeing Board remains focused on key priorities, areas and activities to deliver improved outcomes for the people of Central Bedfordshire.

The Board considered a report that set out the updated work programme of items for the Health and Wellbeing Board for 2015 – 2016. 

NOTED

the current work plan for 2015 – 2016.