Agenda item

The Leader, Councillor Richard Cornelius, joined the table for this item. The Chairman invited the Commissioning Director for Adults and Health to introduce the NCL STP update report. Ms Wakeling introduced the report and noted that it will also be considered by the Policy & Resources Committee. It was noted that CCG were not able to comment on the STP item until further notice from NHSE.

The Chairman noted that across London and nationally, other health and care systems have been working to produce a Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP), showing how it is hoped that local services will become sustainable over the next five years. The Board received an update report in July and September 2016 and the NCL STP was submitted to NHS England on 21 October 2016.

The Board noted the guiding principles as set out on page 21 of the supplemental report, which are designed to support the vision for Barnet as a place with the best possible health and wellbeing.

The Chairman expressed several serious concerns, particularly over the absence of sufficient future financial investment into social care, and the lack of engagement with elected Members and residents in the formulation of the plans. She stated that crucial to the success of these plans – especially in relation to providing care outside of hospital and care closer to home – is that there is proper and adequate investment in social care and that all the extra costs of this provision is not heaped upon already overstretched Local Authority budgets. She also drew attention to the fact that while Prevention was mentioned as one of the guiding principles, there was nothing about maintaining and essentially increasing financial investment into it.

The Chairman highlighted the need to ensure that where any service changes are proposed, the existing services will remain, until their replacements are up and running safely and efficiently. She also noted the importance of ensuring that any new commissioning and delivery models are commissioned on the basis of proven clinical and safety need.

Mr Michael Rich, Head of Barnet Healthwatch, highlighted the importance for an engagement plan with service users and patients. He also suggested that partners continue to promote the importance of wider engagement as part of the STP development. Councillor David Longstaff also expressed the need for a clear programme of engagement to inform any future proposals.

Ms Wakeling commented on the assurance process and publication timeline, which is due to be confirmed. Ms Wakeling noted that once confirmed, further information will be disseminated to Board Members.

Councillor Graham Old, Vice-Chairman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee informed attendees  about the two special JHOSC meetings scheduled on Friday 9 December 9.30am-12.30pm and Wednesday 14 December 5pm-7.30pm at Camden Town Hall which will focus on the NCL STP. 

In relation to Children’ Services, Mr Munday noted that the STP should take into account factors such as housing and education. Mr Munday also queried whether the Thrive Programme was going to be implemented as part of the approach.

The Independent Chairman of the SAB and CSB, Mr Chris Miller noted the importance of the wider strategic overview of the plans and how the proposals potentially relate and impact on other partnership structures.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the Health and Wellbeing Board had noted and commented as above on the North Central London Sustainability and Transformation Plan.

2.    That the Health and Wellbeing Board had noted that the document has been published on the Council’s website and residents will be able to comment via the Consultation Hub on Engage Barnet.