Agenda item

To provide a progress report on the consultation plan for the re-commissioning of the city’s 0-19 Healthy Child Programme (HCP) by Public Health.

Ros Jervis, Service Director Health and Well Being and Neeraj Malhota, Consultant Public Health (PH) provided a report to update the panel on the consultation plan for the re-commissioning of the city’s 0-19 Healthy Child Programme (HCP) by Public Health (PH).

The Consultant PH advised that the consultation had to be substantial to ensure the best use was made of the opportunity and that feedback will form the basis of the tender for services she advised that the Healthy Child Programme (HCP) steering group had been established and would be responsible for overseeing the development of commissioning options and any subsequent tender process and that there would also be dialogue with potential bidders to get a feel for the market. The aim of the preparation was to encourage a healthy market willing and able to provide services.

In response to comments from the panel the Consultant PH advised that there had been a survey to gauge level of interest and eight responses had been initiated which felt like a healthy option. She advised that she would consider panels suggestion to consult with the Chairs of Governors and Governors from free schools, academies and faith schools.

Cllr Peter O’Neill indicated a preference for option two outlined in the report to propose a combination of commissioned services and in-house provision. He indicated that there was a relationship with child centres and the link with childhood obesity. He felt that this was an opportunity to target obesity at an early age and through the children centres and indicated that the model needed to happen.  Cllr Stephen Simkins suggested that there was also a need to talk to parents and encourage parent participation for example walking with their children to school.  He suggested that whatever the model there is a need to be clear on the outcomes and what is needed to achieve the aims.

The Consultant PH welcomed the suggestions and advised that there were several ways being considered; she cited Leeds as one example of how 0-19 early help dovetails closely with what is already in operation; another being Camden.  She agreed that schools are key to the consultation and advised that she had spoken to the Director of Education to progress this.

Donald McIntosh, Health Watch representative, welcomed the report and the early engagement prior to consultation; he indicated this would be more effective than indicating a preferred option which may seem to be a fait-a-complete.  He agreed that an engagement process helped to shape options but he was not clear if the bidder would be part of the development, and suggested that the ‘multi-agency group’ membership needed to be broader.

The Service Director responded that the consultation has to be manageable and indicated that there would be wider stakeholder engagement as outlined in the report.  The Consultant PH noted that the report could have made pre-engagement a section of the report template to emphasise this.

The Chair indicated that the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme (HCP) was to be welcomed.  He indicated that the holistic approach was the way to raise issues at an early stage and that the involvement of families was crucial.

The panel considered the service model for ‘Health Visiting and School Nursing’ and discussed the requirements for registering birth and registering with a GP to enable the child to enter the health system. The Service Director confirmed that there was a lapse between birth and registration with a GP, she clarified that registration cannot be enforced but that influence could be used.

The panel considered that the opportunity to get parents involved in their child’s health and in future workforce planning. They identified the need for the voice of service users to be part of shaping the service for the future to look at the commissioning process and the community benefit.  The Service Director welcomed the comments made and referred to the ‘Inner City Commissioning Charter’ and the need to demonstrate social value of commissioned services.

Cllr Sandra Samuels, Cabinet Members referred to best practice in Camden and Islington and how children’s centres collect data which feeds into service design.  She asked if this is something Wolverhampton should be considering.

Donald McIntosh referred to other good practice models such as the third sector organisations that work collaboratively to provide sickle cell vaccinations

The Chair welcomed one continuous record for individual’s aged 0-19 year olds.  He referred to the need to adhere to data protection laws relating to sharing information and having all records in one place which could be taken on board.

Panel were advised that following the consultation a report would be presented highlighting the feedback and the options.  Panel agreed that due to the cross cutting nature of the report Scrutiny Board should be included in the consultation at this stage.

Resolved:

1. That the comments of the Panel are taken into account in relation to the proposed consultation process and the two proposed future commissioning options.
2. That panel endorse the proposed consultation process taking into account comments made by the panel.
3. That a report relating to ‘Children 5-19 (0-19) Healthy Children Programme’ be included on the agenda for Scrutiny Board 26 April 2016.
4. That the need to demonstrate social value and community benefit is considered in commissioning of all services.