Agenda and minutes

The meeting was opened by the Clerk in order to vote in a Chair as the Chair and Vice Chair had submitted apologies. Following nominations, it was moved to elect the Leader of the Council to Chair the meeting on this occasion.

Apologies were received from Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Paul Tulley, Jenny Lewington, Professor David Loughton CBE and Professor Farzad Amirabdollahian.

Resolved:

That the Leader of the Council take the Chair for this meeting.

Michelle Garbett attended for Jenny Lewington and Sharon Sidhu represented the Black Country ICB for Paul Tulley.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of 13 September 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

[To receive the Health and Wellbeing Together Forward Plan 2023 - 2024.]

Madeleine Freewood, Public Health Partnership and Governance Lead presented the Health and Wellbeing Together Forward Plan 2023 - 2024 and outlined future agenda items.

The Chair raised a query around sustainable funding and ways to pool resources in order to deliver more as a partnership going forward. It was agreed to raise as a discussion at a future meeting of Health and Wellbeing Executive.

Members were invited to suggest items for presentation at future meetings by contacting either the Chair, Madeleine Freewood or Democratic Services.

Resolved:

1. That the items on the Health and Wellbeing Together Forward Plan 2023 - 2024 be noted.

2.    To hold a discussion at a future Health and Wellbeing Executive group meeting in relation to sustainable funding.

[To approve the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023.]

John Denley, Director of Public Health presented the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023: The Power of Partnership for approval and highlighted key points. The report is the professional statement about the health and wellbeing of their local communities and aimed to inform professionals, Councillors, members of the public and other stakeholders about key activity being undertaken in partnership to realise our Public Health 2030 Vision that residents live longer, healthier and more active lives.

Siân Thomas, One Wolverhampton Representative delivered a supporting presentation to provide an overview of One Wolverhampton and how it worked with Health and Wellbeing Together to support and work towards joint priorities.

A short video was screened which featured Tim Lorimer of the Walking Hockey and Chat Group giving an overview of the Walking Hockey initiative which provided an opportunity for social interaction and for residents to take part in low-impact exercise suitable for all abilities. This also incorporated a social media chat group between sessions to keep in touch outside of sessions and look out for each other’s wellbeing.

It was confirmed that paper copies of the Annual Report would be distributed in places accessible by residents and the general community for those who didn’t have online access.

A concern was raised around data sharing between partners, how far the records went back and the quality of the data and it was deliberated how this process could be improved to make patients’ experiences easier.

A concern was raised around early healthcare interventions and how to ensure timely screening in order to get better outcomes for patients.

It was noted it was positive to see the progression of Love Your Community through both Safer Wolverhampton Partnership and Health and Wellbeing Together and added that it encompassed residents not only being happy where they lived but an informed awareness about how they can interact with or make a difference in their community.

Thanks were extended to John Denley, Director of Public Health and the Public Health team, Madeleine Freewood, Public Health Partnership and Governance Lead and all partner organisations involved for contributions to development of the Director of Public Health Annual Report and associated work. It was acknowledged that building and maintaining partnerships continued to be key.

Resolved:

That Health and Wellbeing Together approve the publication of the Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2023.

[To approve the Health and Wellbeing Together Wolverhampton Physical Activity Strategy.]

At this point Councillor Wendy Thompson, Opposition Leader took the Chair.

Hettie Pigott, Senior Public Health Specialist and Andrea Fieldhouse, Principal Public Health Specialist jointly presented the Wolverhampton Physical Activity Strategy for approval and highlighted salient points.

The report set out strategic direction for physical activity until 2030 and an overview was provided of the work going on throughout the City to enable and encourage residents to become more active.

In response to a query around opening up the use of sports facilities in local schools to the general public, it was noted that this was an option that was currently being explored with Sports England and schools.

Resolved:

That Health and Wellbeing Together approve the Health and Wellbeing Together Wolverhampton Physical Activity Strategy.

[To receive the NHS Black Country Joint Forward Plan for assurance.]

Sharon Sidhu, Black Country ICB presented the NHS Black Country Joint Forward Plan and highlighted key areas of interest. It was noted that purpose was to provide assurance that the strategic plan for the NHS is aligned with and will support delivery of the priorities set out for Wolverhampton in our Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

It was queried how Health and Wellbeing Together Board could work together with the ICB to make sure local priorities are reflected in future versions. It was noted that Paul Tulley, Black Country ICB was involved in many of the discussions in relation to the Joint Forward Plan and was a strong link as Vice Chair of Health and Wellbeing Together, ensuring feedback from both sides.

Councillor Susan Roberts, Chair of Health Scrutiny Board raised a concern around challenges with pharmacies fulfilling prescriptions and, as it was noted that pharmacies and primary care now fell under the Black Country ICB remit, it was agreed to take this feedback and investigate the matter further.

Resolved:

1. That Health and Wellbeing Together receive the NHS Black Country Joint Forward Plan for information and assurance.

2.    That the concern raised around pharmacy operation be investigated by Black Country ICB.

[To receive an update on the progress of the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP).]

Tapiwa Mtemachani, Director of Transformation and Partnership – Black Country Integrated Care Board presented the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) Update report and highlighted key points. The report set out the context and purpose of the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) along with its state of development within the Black Country Integrated Care System. The Health and Wellbeing Board was asked to note the report for assurance and to consider the implications of the developing arrangements.

The report also outlined the progress of governance arrangements, its relationship with health and wellbeing boards and that a Terms of Reference for the ICP committee was currently awaiting formal approval at its next meeting on 19 December 2023. An Integrated Care Strategy had been developed and signed off by the four participating local authorities and was now available to view on a dedicated ICS website.

A query was raised around funding for health inequalities in the voluntary sector that was no longer available due to funding constraints as well as how priorities would be managed. It was noted that guidance stipulated that the strategy would inform development of any forward planning by the local authority or the ICB to ensure alignment of priorities and delivery. In terms of funding, the challenges were acknowledged and it was noted that it would be necessary to explore means of making funding go further by best use of existing resources.

The update and the progress on the strategy was welcomed, particularly the interactions with Scrutiny committees which may provide useful feedback links.

Resolved:

That Health and Wellbeing Together receive the update on progress around the development of the Black Country Integrated Care Partnership.

[To consider any items of business by reason of special circumstances (to be specified) that in the opinion of the Chair are matters of urgency.]

The Chair announced that, following a rigorous application process to the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, Health and Wellbeing Together had been successful in becoming a signatory to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health which the Chair noted was an increasingly important area of focus.

In their feedback, the panel commented that they were impressed by the breadth of needs assessment available and the significant level of buy-in from the Board into the concordat process.  It was noted that the action plan was currently in development and agreed that the Board would have a future update regarding this.

Resolved:

That an update on the Concordat for Better Mental Health Action Plan be shared at a future meeting of Health and Wellbeing Together.