Agenda item

Cllr Helen Harrison provided a brief introduction to the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JH&W) item, with the meeting noting that production of a North Northamptonshire strategy was at its initial stage to replace the existing outdated countywide strategy, with work being led by the Council’s Public Health team.

Susan Hamilton, Interim Director of Public Health was invited to address the panel regarding the work of the team in developing the new strategy. The meeting was provided with the context of the strategy, the purpose of which was to set out priorities for improving the health and wellbeing of the local population and detailing how health inequalities and need would be addressed.

There was a recognition that the context had changed since the last strategy was developed, with Integrated Care Systems (ICS) now in place. National guidance had been released stating Health and Wellbeing Boards needed to take account of the ICS when developing JH&W strategies to ensure there was a coherent link between the system and strategy in terms of strategic aims and delivery.

It was noted that the Integrated Care Strategy, covering a ten-year period, had been developed and published in late 2022 setting out the aims and objectives over that timeframe, with the contents of the strategy based on evidence from a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment refresh undertaken in 2022, examining the needs of the populace. The JH&W Strategy would help to deliver the priorities of the ICS, with a focus specifically on place. Timeframes involved for the JH&W Strategy were across a shorter period, typically three to five years, with clear delivery mechanisms and an action plan to be developed to ensure that key priorities identified would be delivered with monitoring mechanisms in place

The meeting heard that although a similar approach was being taken by both North and West Northamptonshire Councils in the development of strategies, timeframes involved were different. In terms of evidencing the immediate issues for North Northamptonshire, data contained within the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment was being examined to identify immediate priorities and other engagement mechanisms including Community Wellbeing Forums and Local Area Partnerships. It was noted that engagement would form a key part in developing the JH&W strategy, with work in this regard already underway.

The meeting was reminded of the ambitions and outcomes of the Integrated Care Strategy. It was heard that there would be heavy emphasis on addressing behaviours, environment and socio-economic factors that impacted health and wellbeing in North Northamptonshire.

A governance structure was already in place for the development of the strategy, with a partnership approach and active leads linked to the Health & Wellbeing Board. The frequency and governance of meetings was in its formation prior to wider partners being brought in. The JH&W Strategy was connected to a variety of other existing and emerging strategies and there was a need to ensure these meshed effectively.

A high-level timeline was provided to the meeting who noted details regarding engagement, evidence gathering and writing of the strategy, with an ambition to present the draft document Health and Wellbeing Board in November 2023, with final sign-off in early 2024.

Cllr McGhee spoke note the importance of including housing representatives from both the social and private sectors as part of the partnership boards. Cllr McGhee noted that it would also be beneficial for the draft strategy to be presented to the panel prior to being signed-off by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Cllr Harrison noted the importance of engagement of the place work through the Community Wellbeing Forums and Local Area Partnerships and agreed that the draft strategy be presented to the panel prior to sign-off by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Cllr Roberts raised the issue of progress monitoring, with the Chair agreeing that development of the strategy would benefit from being examined by as many mechanisms as possible, not just the Health and Wellbeing Board.

In terms of priority areas for consideration, the following points were raised:

·       Accessing GPs, dental and mental health services

·       Emergency care access

·       A holistic approach to strategies would be beneficial

·       Avoidance of work duplication in relation to other strategies

·       Good examples of JH&W Strategies being circulated where disproportionate positive benefits had been achieved.

·       A vibrant employment market was beneficial to health and wellbeing

·       Consideration of early years (childminders, nurseries etc) driving behaviours

·       Working with non-Council social landlords to understand issues that exist in that area

·       Getting vaccination and screening at the forefront of health and wellbeing, picking up problems earlier and preventing illness

·       That the strategy be owned across all directorates at the Council, not just Public Health

·       Housing considerations to improve health and wellbeing, including green spaces for residents