Decision details

The Board is asked to discuss the report and approve the recommendations contained within

The Chairman welcomed Dr Jeff Lake, Consultant in Public Health. Dr Lake introduced the item and referred to the performance indicators on pp 47-57 as an indication of how Barnet services are responding to local population need.

The Director for Public Health (Harrow and Barnet) informed the Board that the performance report will be presented to the Partnership Boards Autumn Catch-up on 20 November 2014 to ensure continued engagement with Partners in support of the delivery of the Barnet Health & Well-Being Strategy.

The Board noted the recommended priorities for Year 3 in light of the most recent performance data and achievements of the past 12 months. Dr Lake highlighted the challenges identified (p91) to ensure that the best possible health and well-being outcomes are achieved for the population of Barnet.

The Chairman noted that the wording of the third recommended priority for Year 3 (p.13) should include ‘especially children in care’ to read:

‘3. That the Health and Well-Being Board partners work collectively and collaboratively to promote early intervention and prevention of mental health problems for children, especially children in care, working aged adults and older people and ensure robust local service provision.’

Dr Jeff Lake further noted the Partnership Boards progress reports in Appendix 1, highlighting the progress made by these Boards over the past 12 months in relation to the priority areas identified by the Board.

Action: Further discussion to be held between Barnet CCG, Primary Care and Public Health regarding an approach to drugs and alcohol.

Chris Miller, Independent Chairman of the Adults and Children’s Safeguarding Boards welcomed the discussion and raised concerns in relation to the upward trend in higher risk alcohol consumption.

Dr Lake informed the Board of the health risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Furthermore, the Board heard about the importance of delivering information regarding units in different alcoholic beverages and the risks associated with drinking patterns in excess of the recommended daily limit.

Action: For the Board to give further consideration to effective ways of tackling excessive alcohol consumption across the Borough.

The Strategic Director for Communities, Kate Kennally commended the priorities identified in the report (p 13-14) and highlighted the importance of addressing social isolation and loneliness as part of priorities 9 and 10 (p14).

The Adults and Communities Director, Dawn Wakeling informed the Board that the Care Act 2014 places a duty on local authorities to provide information and advice relating to care and support locally. Ms Wakeling also noted the importance of linking the duties under the Care Act with the priority areas for Year 3. 

Selina Rodrigues, Head of Healthwatch emphasised that feedback from young people, teachers and youth workers suggested that there is an inconsistency in pathways experienced by young people accessing social and health support services.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Health and Well-Being Board considers the second annual Health and Well-Being Strategy performance report and assesses the progress that has been made so far to meet the Strategy’s objectives.
   
   
2. That the Board endorses the recommendations outlined in the final section of the performance report, and agrees to take these recommendations forward in Year 3.