Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies were received from Dr Nick Dattani who was substituted for by Michelle Humphrey.

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Dr Deborah Jenkins presented the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention Action Plan for 2024 and Barnet’s CVD Prevention Programme 2022-2026.

CVD was noted to be the single largest area where premature mortality could be avoided over the next decade.

Although CVD mortality rate in under 75s in Barnet was lower than the London average, it could be reduced further. Risk factors for CVD vary considerably between borough wards with links to deprivation.

Significantly, CVD was preventable through community and primary care interventions and treatment of high-risk conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation.

The CVD prevention programme aims to help in the reduction of premature mortality in Barnet by targeting health inequalities across themes relating to geography, deprivation and populations at risk. The 2022-2026 CVD prevention programme has been designed to improve management of risk factors in community settings, primary and secondary care as well as care after discharge.

The June 2023 data on hypertension, atrial fibrillation and lipid lowering therapy was shared with the Board. It showed variations between Barnet Primary Care Networks (PCNs). There was not a consistent pattern of performance between PCNs, with the management of different CVD risk factors.

It was noted that hypertension had been proposed as a priority area by the NCL Integrated Care Partnership for 2024.

The strategic aims of the CVD Action Plan 2024 were divided between actions taken within community settings and healthcare settings. Within community settings, focus was placed on adult weight management services, physical activity, health screening in areas of higher deprivation and delivery of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme. Additionally, peer support to promote heart health to residents in ethnic minority communities as well as combating substance misuse in Barnet are strategic priorities.

Within healthcare settings, strategic aims included optimisation of smoking cessation services in primary and secondary care, increasing blood pressurechecks amongst populations at risk and optimising annual health checks for people with learning disabilities and severe mental illness.

The use of data analysis would help monitor CVD prevention and outcomes in Barnet.

A multi stakeholder task and finish group would continue to be held quarterly to discuss CVD prevention and the action plan. Recommendations from the Board were sought to increase representation.

It was noted that a joined-up approach to CVD across the five London Boroughs with ambitions relating to hypertension, could improve overall outcomes within CVD.      

Dr Louise Miller suggested that some form of measured targets in Barnet might be useful. It was noted that the available CVD data in relation to mortality rates was slightly outdated.

Dr Janet Djomba reiterated that numerical and KPI targets were essential even though difficult to set in relation to complex issues. Therefore, collaboration amongst partners around target setting would help to achieve desired outcomes. Dr Djomba welcomed suggestions from partners on how to work together to approach target setting.

Chris Munday queried whether outcomes included the younger population to prevent long term CVD. Dr Jenkins said that work was being done with children and young people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

David Walton presented the item on the Fit and Active Barnet framework. The strategy involved creating a more healthy and active Borough and was split into health, education, faith, voluntary and sport sections facilitated by Barnet Council.

With the continually changing landscape, the FAB framework was refreshed to incorporate connections with the emerging Culture Strategy and development of a new Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.

Resolved that the Health & Wellbeing Board note the contents of the report and the achievements to date of the Fit & Active Barnet Framework.

Seher Kayikci highlighted that becoming a dementia friendly Borough meant that people living with dementia were understood, respected and supported as well as included in community life and their contributions recognised. Key action areas adopted from the Alzheimer’s Society, included dementia friendly values.

The 2022 action plan received formal recognition from the Alzheimer’s Society as a Borough working towards becoming dementia friendly.

Gabriel Johns-Mains summarised the key action areas of the plan. The Mayor’s Dementia Friendly Venues Charter was adopted to support the arts, culture, and leisure with 21 venues signing up to the scheme.

Linking with Faith communities helped combat individuals in isolation brought about by dementia. In connection with Faith Action and the Barnet Multi Faith Forum, the Dementia Friendly Faith Communities self-assessment framework was created.

Four businesses on the high street have signed up to the dementia friendly initiative. A more targeted approach would be used to prioritise areas with ageing populations.

It was noted that 21 venues have signed up to the Dementia Friendly Venues Scheme with significant interest from more venues.

More than 15,000 people have become Dementia Friends in Barnet including Councillors and Council Officers.

The Understanding Dementia training has been commissioned by Public Health and sessions have been successfully delivered throughout the year.

Risk reduction messages have been communicated in collaboration with Age UK Barnet and Barnet Carers. Living Well with Dementia leaflets have been created to help support those living with the condition and where to access key services.

To promote the importance of becoming a dementia friendly borough, information has been circulated to venues using magazines, newsletters and social media. Work was underway on creating a new Dementia Friendly brand for Barnet by joining up work done by Barnet Council and its partners.

In terms of strategic developments, recommendations to improve quality of life for older adults, taken from the Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report  2023 included reduction of disease, prevention of degenerative disease and change of environments.

The NCL ICB has welcomed ongoing collaboration with the five NCL boroughs to strengthen dementia friendly initiatives and by creating an NCL-wide Dementia Friendly Accreditation scheme to be launched in April 2024.

Future planned projects involve the Dementia Friendly Fire Service and Dementia Friendly Transport.

It was noted that training and links should be established with the local police to help manage distressed individuals with dementia.

Fiona Bateman suggested tapping into the Herbert Protocol introduced by the police in partnership with other agencies to encourage carers to compile useful information which could be used to help locate a vulnerable person if they go missing.

Councillor Edwards raised the issue around transport for older people especially those with dementia travelling with a freedom pass. Interesting work had been done in Doncaster involving working with bus companies and their drivers to improve awareness and develop good practice in transporting older people.

The Councillor enquired about progress data around early diagnosis which was found to be crucial in helping affected people.

Resolved that the Board notes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Claire O’Callaghan presented the recommendations arising out of the discussion held with members of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Barnet Borough Partnership.

Chris Munday highlighted that the delivery groups needed to be updated, to reflect the priorities. Chris Munday also suggested that the Healthy Child Programme be added to the Board’s priorities, either as a standalone priority, or as part of the Children and Young People priority. The Chair confirmed that further discussion was required on this ask.

Fiona Bateman queried the role of the two different partnerships in relation to patient safety issues and how they would be monitored as well as delivery and oversight for improvement of services. It was confirmed that patient safety responsibility remained with statutory agencies and would not transfer to these partnerships.

The Chair said that the joined-up actions of the partnerships was crucial to maximising the impact across individuals and communities.

Resolved:

1.    That the Board reaffirms that both Health and Wellbeing Board and Barnet Borough Partnership are of joint importance at Place (Borough) level in relation to health priorities.

2.     That the Board agrees the proposed delivery and enabling priorities, as outlined in section 1.5.

3.    That the Board agrees the changes to how the Health and Wellbeing Board will operate, as outlined in Section 1.7.

4.    That the Board notes the recommendations for Barnet Borough Partnership’s future model of operation, as outlined in Section 1.9.

5.    That the Board communicates to North Central London Integrated Care Board the recommendations for system level partners as outlined in Section 1.10.

None.

The Board noted the list of frequently used acronyms in HWBB reports.

The Board noted the items due to be reported to future HWBB meetings

The Chair notified Board Members the meeting scheduled for the 14^th of March has been cancelled and the next scheduled meeting will take place on the 9^th of May 2024.