Agenda item

Purpose of the report:  Scrutiny of Services and Budgets

To update the Scrutiny Board on the continued development and work of Surrey’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

Declarations of interest:

None

Witnesses:

Helyn Clack, Co-Chair of Health and Wellbeing Board and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Health

Liz Lawn, Co-Chair of Health and Wellbeing Board and Clinical Chair, North West Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group

Key points raised during the discussions

1.     The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Health advised the Board that there had been vast improvements in working together in the health and social care system in the last two years. The Co-Chairs were asked about the work the Health and Wellbeing Board has done on children’s mental health. They referred to current countywide re-procurement of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) which demonstrates the improvement in working together between health and social care. It was suggested that a benefit of having clinical leads involved in the re-specification of CAMHS is the role of GPs is marked. However, they agreed there is a relative low level of support and funding for children and young people with mental health issues including eating disorders.

2.     The Board inquired about the involvement of District & Borough Councils and health and social care providers with the Surrey Health and Wellbeing Board. The Co-Chairs advised that the relationship varies with the districts and boroughs, links have often been made through individuals rather than in formal ways. They also stated that the Districts and Boroughs were all represented on the Local Joint Commissioning Groups.  Regarding providers, the Co-Chair felt that the Transformation Boards were the best forum to involve providers and outlined the problem of effectiveness if the Health and Wellbeing Board’s membership was as numerous as these other Boards – there was a benefit in maintaining a strategic focus.

3.     The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Health stated that participation was welcomed at the Surrey Health and Wellbeing Board and updated Members that she had been looking at how different boards across the country are working and hopes to convene a group of Chairs through the LGA to discuss best practice.

4.     The Co-Chairs were asked about the Surrey priorities for children and young people. Members were advised that the board’s strategic plan was taking a overview of the Ofsted improvement plan and were assured of the early years and safeguarding arrangements with the Co-Chair adding that there was more confidence in the operation of children’s safeguarding now but that more work was required on the early help offer.

5.     Members asked about the success of the Health and Wellbeing Board’s prevention activities. It was suggested that the plan focuses on the wider determinants not just ill-health prevention, such as Air Pollution. The Board suggested that the Co-Chairs discuss with the Director of Public Health how to strengthen these plans.

Recommendations:

The Board recommends that:

·         It receives a further update from the Health and Wellbeing Board on the progress against its strategic priorities and any possible changes to how it operates in 12 months time.

·         The Co-Chairs discuss with the Director of Public Health how the Health and Wellbeing Board can strengthen the focus on the wider determinants of health in CCG prevention plans.

Graham Ellwood left the meeting at 12:55