Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting, please note if you are joining via a computer or laptop you do not need to have Microsoft Teams as the link below can be opened in a web browser.

Contact: Salar Rida 020 8359 7113, Email: salar.rida@barnet.gov.uk  You can also dial into the meeting from any phone using the following number 020 3321 5256 and Conference ID: 611 320 209#

Link: Click here for the meeting

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 297 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Councillor Caroline Stock welcomed all attendees to the virtual meeting.

 

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 14 January 2021 be agreed as a correct record.

2.

Absence of Members

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from:
- Apologies have been received from Chris Munday
- Apologies received from Madeleine Ellis
- Apologies received from Dr Clare Stephens
- Apologies received from Councillor Sachin Rajput who was substituted by Councillor David Longstaff.

3.

Declaration of Members' Interests

Minutes:

Dr Charlotte Benjamin, Vice-Chair of the HWBB declared a non-pecuniary interest on behalf of herself and Dr Nikesh Dattani in relation to the relevant agenda items as primary care providers via their respective GP Practices and GP Federation in the interest of transparency.

4.

Public Questions and Comments (if any)

Minutes:

There were none.

5.

Report of the Monitoring Officer (if any)

Minutes:

None.

6.

List of HWBB Abbreviations pdf icon PDF 141 KB

Minutes:

The Board noted the standing item on the agenda which lists the frequently used acronyms in HWBB reports.

7.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccination Programme verbal update - Dr Tamara Djuretic, Dr Charlotte Benjamin

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Dr Tamara Djuretic, Director of Public Health and Vice-Chair Dr Charlotte Benjamin, NCL CCG to provide an update on COVID-19 in Barnet and the Vaccination Programme.

 

Dr Djuretic provided an update to the Board on COVID-19 cases within Barnet and noted that during the last few weeks there has been an increase within the 10-14 years age group due to the increased school testing however Barnet’s rate remains low.

 

It was further noted that currently approximately 160,000 people have been vaccinated in Barnet with the first dosage and the vaccination uptake is around 80% overall. Dr Djuretic referred attendees to the COVID update report which is published on the Council website here[1] and updated on a weekly basis.

 

A small number of wards showed a higher number of infections and lower vaccination uptake comparatively with other wards. Dr Djuretic informed the Board about the work undertaken with communities for tailored communication and the setting up of pop up clinics. 

 

Dr Julie George, Deputy Director of Public Health gave an update on the work of the COVID-19 Health Champions noting that currently there were 245 registered Health Champions covering all wards in Barnet. Various communication channels have been utilised to disseminate key messages in 11 community languages. In addition, she noted that Health Champions are continuing to convey concerns and challenges faced by communities to ensure that these are addressed.

 

Dr Nikesh Dattani, NCL CCG updated the Board on the vaccination for care homes which had received the first and second dosage. Dr Dattani informed the Board that the feedback from care home patients has been positive and that being vaccinated has comforted patients about seeing visitors.

 

Dr Charlotte Benjamin provided an update on the immunisation programme. She spoke about the issue of safety in relation to vaccines and noted it being continuously monitored. Following a query about concerns around blood clots, Dr Benjamin noted that based on ongoing evidence, it is a very small number of people who are impacted in certain age groups – in addition, the advice provided to certain age groups is tailored based on ongoing evidence.

 

The Chairman thanked the Board for the discussion and presentations.

 



[1] https://www.barnet.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-and-advice/Barnet-weekly-COVID-19-dashboard#title-2

8.

Long COVID Verbal presentation - Dr Katie Coleman

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Dr Katie Coleman (NCL CCG) GP Lead for Patient and Public Participation. Dr Coleman provided a presentation to the Board about the impact of Long COVID which is also referred to as post-COVID syndrome.

 

Dr Coleman spoke about the number of people affected by Long COVID across NCL and noted that Long COVID can be defined as signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. The Board also noted the arrangements in place across NCL to support patients and to allow for patient management and close collaborative working.

 

The Chairman thanked Dr Coleman for the presentation and invited Dr Michael Webb Registrar at Barnet Hospital, to share his personal experience with Long COVID.

 

Dr Webb informed the Board about the impact of Long COVID on his physical and mental health. He noted that being able to work has had a positive impact on mental health, although tiredness was still persistent. Dr Webb noted that he was pleased with the support provided by UCLH Long COVID clinic integrated teams, as this is a new area and there is relatively less data available about Long COVID.

 

The Chairman thanked Dr Webb for sharing his experience with the Board.

9.

COVID-19 and Recovery verbal update - Caroline Clarke Royal Free Hospital

Minutes:

Caroline Clarke Royal Free Group Chief Executive and Deborah Saunders Chief Executive Barnet Hospital were welcomed by the Chairman and joined the meeting.

 

The Board heard about the COVID patients which have been fewer in number in comparison to the previous update provided to the Board. The Board noted the working arrangements towards managing outpatient activity, the arrangements in place to manage waiting lists more effectively and the ways in which virtual NHS appointments have been facilitated. Board Members also noted the investment which has been made towards staff rest facilities and the support available for staff, particularly those affected by Long COVID.

 

The Chairman thanked Caroline Clarke and Deborah Saunders and staff at the Royal Free on behalf of the Board for all their continued efforts.

 

10.

Barnet Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-25 pdf icon PDF 293 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2021-2025 which sets a vision for creating a borough of health together with our residents, communities, NHS partners, Voluntary and Community Sector, Healthwatch, small and medium business, educational sector, police, fire and others.

 

The Chairman invited Dr Tamara Djuretic, Director of Public Health and Oliver Taylor, Public Health Strategist to present the item.

 

The Board noted the presentation and the three key areas to be delivered as part of the Strategy in order to drive integrated improvements in health and wellbeing in Barnet:

 

1.    Creating a healthier place and resilient communities

2.    Starting, living and ageing well

3.    Ensuring delivery of coordinated holistic care, when we need it

The Board will be updated on the progress against the delivery of the Strategy through the Strategy Implementation Plan reported to the Board annually. (Action: Governance - Forward Work Programme)

 

Following a suggestion from Councillor Richard Cornelius, it was agreed that a succinct one-page summary of the Strategy would be developed. (Action: Public Health)

 

In response to a query raised by Councillor David Longstaff, Officers agreed to provide information to Councillor Longstaff about the source of information and the consultation on school meals for children and the quality of school meals. (Action: Public Health)

 

Councillor Longstaff referred to section 5.7.1 of the report and raised a query regarding the consultation for Looked After Children and their needs. Dr Djuretic explained that this matter has been discussed at the Children’s Board and that it is unfortunate that no one from Family Services attended the HWB Board to provide further details.

 

The Board noted that the full consultation report would be circulated and agreed that the Strategy Report together with the consultation findings be reported to the July HWBB meeting for final sign off.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Health and Wellbeing Board agreed to defer the approval of the final version of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-25 for implementation until July’s HWB Board on 15th July.

2.    That the Health and Wellbeing Board agreed to receive the final version of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-25 at its July meeting together with the consultation findings.

 

11.

Cancer Screening for people with Learning Disabilities - Ray Booth Barnet Mencap (verbal)

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Ray Booth Chief Executive Barnet Mencap for a presentation on cancer screening for people with learning disabilities.

 

The Board welcomed the informative video presentation which explains the process of cancer screenings for bowel cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer for people with learning disabilities, including reasonable adjustments that can be made.

 

Mr Booth noted that the video has been shared with partners across NCL and encouraged wider circulation through partners, NCL Cancer Alliance and GPs. The video is available to view here[1].

 

The Chairman thanked Mr Booth and the participants in the video for sharing their experiences on behalf of the Board.

 



[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMR-yz5qgag

12.

Healthwatch Update on COVID-19 - Nitish Lakhman Healthwatch Barnet (verbal)

Minutes:

The Board noted that a follow up update will be provided at its future meeting.

 

The Chairman welcomed Caroline Collier CEO Inclusion Barnet who gave an update to the Board on the work delivered by Barnet Together on COVID-19 in providing support, training, resources and advice to Barnet’s voluntary and community organisations.  

13.

Local Outbreak Management Plan pdf icon PDF 376 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Dr Tamara Djuretic and Dr Janet Djomba Public Health Consultant presented the report which reflects the approach to the core aspects of the end-to-end COVID-19 response.

 

The Board welcomed the Plan and it was RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Health and Wellbeing Board approved the Local Outbreak Management Plan (LOMP).

2.    That in respect of the LOMP authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health and Prevention in consultation with the Chairman.

 

14.

Update Presentation on Barnet Integrated Care System and Integrated Care Partnership (ICP)

Minutes:

Dawn Wakeling, Executive Director Adults and Health and Dr Charlotte Benjamin presented the item to the Board.

 

Board Members noted the work being delivered towards:

-       The development of the integrated discharge team to support patients leaving hospital

-       Support towards infection prevention control measures and other services

-       Responding to health inequalities that have been highlighted through the pandemic

-       Multi-agency locality working around Primary Care Networks

It was agreed that a detailed update report will be brought to the next meeting of the HWBB which will include details about the priorities. (Action: Forward Work Programme)

 

The Chairman thanked the Board Members and all attendees for their contribution and presentations.

 

15.

Any Items the Chairman decides are urgent

Minutes:

None.