Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Dr Andrew Wilson (South Cheshire CCG), Jerry Hawker (Eastern Cheshire CCG), Clare Watson (South Cheshire CCG), Chief Inspector Alan Fairclough (Cheshire Police), Mike Larking (Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service) and Councillor Liz Wardlaw (Cheshire East Council).

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2018.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2018 be approved as a correct record.

In accordance with paragraph 2.32 of the Committee Procedural Rules and Appendix 7 to the Rules a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Mr Richard Walton presented a petition opposing the current reduction in services at Congleton War Memorial Hospital and asked questions on staffing issues at Macclesfield Hospital which were affecting the Minor Injuries Unit at Congleton War Memorial Hospital.  The Chairman received the petition and stated that a written response to the questions would be provided.

A statement from Councillor George Hayes was readout which raised concerns on the future of Congleton War Memorial Hospital.

Councillor Paul Bates spoke in relation to Congleton War Memorial Hospital and stated that it was the best place to provide care for the people of Congleton and asked the NHS Trust to provide services at the Hospital in accordance with their Mission Statement.

A statement from Councillor David Brown was read out which supported the services provided by Congleton War Memorial Hospital, which were of great benefit and value to the residents of Congleton.

Councillor Rhoda Bailey spoke in support of keeping open Congleton War Memorial Hospital as it provided local services for the residents of Congleton and surrounding areas so they did not have travel to Macclesfield.

Congleton Town Councillor Suzanne Akers Smith spoke in support of Congleton War Memorial Hospital and on the well-used services provided there and that having to travel to Macclesfield would cost time and money and asked that the Hospital be kept open.

To consider how the Council intends to develop and deliver a Green Infrastructure Plan for the Borough.

The Board considered a report on how the Council intended to develop and deliver a Green Infrastructure Plan for the Borough as part of its policy development on the Environment.

Green infrastructure related to multi-functional spaces, both urban and rural, which were capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities.  A Green Infrastructure Plan would also link to existing Council plans and strategies, particularly in the context of economic strategy, Health and Wellbeing and Regeneration Plans.

Board members were pleased to see a link between green infrastructure and health.  It was suggested that a monetary value be put on green infrastructure that was lost/gained during the planning process.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

To note the establishment of this Network and its campaigns for this year and for 2019/20.

The Board received a presentation and report on the establishment of the Wellbeing Network, its work to date and plans for 2018/19.

The Cheshire East Wellbeing Network had been established in November 2017, with the purpose of working collaboratively through connecting and sharing current initiatives and developing joint campaigns to help improve wellbeing.

The Wellbeing Network had selected four campaigns to be involved with for 2018/19:

·       Mental Health Week 14-20 May 2018

·       Know your Numbers 10-16 September 2018

·       Stay Well This Winter

·       Dry January

Appendix 3 to the report detailed the events held for Mental Health Week in May and an evaluation of the collaborative approach to the campaign.

RESOLVED: That the Board

1        note  and acknowledge the value of the collaborative approach to wellbeing campaigns across Cheshire East; and

2        continue to support the future campaigns with resources, including staff, venues, communications and materials where relevant, from partner organisations.

To consider the Annual Report.

The Board received a presentation on the Annual Report 2017/18 for Healthwatch Cheshire East.

Healthwatch Cheshire East had been jointly commissioned by Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council to deliver Healthwatch services and also to deliver the Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Service across Cheshire.

The Annual Report detailed the work undertaken during 2017/18, which included visiting 165 local services and health and wellbeing events, undertaking regular A&E Watch activities, conducting 42 Enter and View visits and involvement in a number of projects on issues raised by residents in Cheshire East.

RESOLVED:

That the Healthwatch Cheshire East Annual Report 2017/18 be received.

To consider the SEND Improvement Plan.

The Board considered the Written Statement of Action for Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

The Written Statement had been produced by 0-25 SEND Partnership in response to outcomes of the Ofsted inspection in March 2018.  Six work streams had been created, with each having a specific, dedicated focus on the priority areas for SEND.  An Action Plan had been developed by all partners to address the findings of the review and the work already underway, which would be monitored and scrutinised by the 0-25 SEND Partnership Board.  The Health and Wellbeing Board would, however, have an oversight role from a whole system perspective and would receive quarterly updates.

A final review of progress dates and RAG ratings would be carried out prior to submission to Ofsted by 15 August 2018.

RESOLVED:

That the Written Statement of Action for Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) be approved for submission, subject to any final review of progress dates and RAG ratings.

To consider the actions taken in the 201718 influenza season, and proposals for 2018/19.

The Board considered the Annual Influenza Report 2017/18.

The report set out the actions taken during the influenza season, the impact on health and wellbeing strategy priorities, actions taken by Cheshire East Council to increase flu vaccine uptake by staff and across the wider health economy, and made recommendations for the 2018/19 influenza season.

RESOLVED:  That

1        a Bid for funding from NHS England be made for influenza communications ahead of the 2018/19 influenza season so that the scope and range of television adverts, radio adverts and social media communications can be increased;

2        the vaccination programmes be repeated and extended, with influenza vaccination clinics and voucher schemes, and support for managers to encourage front line staff within their teams to access flu vaccinations ,either through clinics or the voucher scheme.  Funding would be required to ensure that the vaccines were provided at no cost to eligible staff; and

3        undertake broader health and hygiene work throughout the organisation linking in with work plans around winter wellness to emphasise measures such as hand hygiene, but also evaluate the investment in measures to improve hygiene and reduce the spread of minor illnesses.

To receive an update on this transformation project.

The Board considered an update on the proposals to merge the four Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) into a single strategic commissioner.

It was reported that all the Governing Bodies for the four CCGs had met and agreed the five recommendations to create a single Cheshire CCG from 1 April 2020.

The next stage was to take the proposals to the membership bodies of each CCG for discussion, with the outcomes of these discussions being taken back to each Governing Body. 

The Board welcomed the inclusion of the local authorities in the process of establishing the Executive Team and it was noted that CVS should also be considered for inclusion in this.

RESOLVED:

That the update report be noted.