Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

Ross Jago, Lead Officer highlighted to the Chair and the Panel that a Public Health Consultation was taking place and input was required from the Caring Panel.  This item would be discussed after Public Health’s Corporate Performance Report.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on the 3 September 2015.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting of 2 September 2015 were confirmed.

The Panel to receive the Public Health’s Corporate Performance Report.

Kelechi Nnoaham, Director of Public Health provided the Panel with an update on Public Health’s Corporate Report and key outcomes K21, K46 and K47.  It was reported that –

K21:  Lead on the city’s strategy for health and wellbeing

Thrive Plymouth was launched in November 2014 and is the city’s strategy for health and wellbeing.  Thrive Plymouth is based on the 4-4-54, i.e. that 4 key behaviours lead to the 4 diseases which cause 54% of the deaths in Plymouth.  Thrive Plymouth has given a clear sense of direction of health within the city and since the launch of Thrive Plymouth, 41 workplaces have undertaken the wellbeing programme.

In response to questions raised it was reported that the next phase of Thrive Plymouth was being launched with the schools in November.  A Health and Wellbeing Survey conducted with 4,000 children had also been undertaken and based on the data taken from the survey emotional resilience was raised as an issue.  They were currently talking with schools on how to address emotional wellbeing for children and young people.

It was also reported that although breastfeeding numbers were still low figures had improved by 4% this was down to a very good peer support programme in place and making people aware.  A discussion took place on the importance of breastfeeding and whether further scrutiny was required.  It was felt that this was a good news story and further scrutiny on this subject was not warranted.  It was proposed that a briefing report on breastfeeding would be circulated to Panel members outside of this meeting.

K46:  Develop a clear research and evidence base to understand health inequalities across the city

The Public Health Team lead the development of clear research and evidence based to understand health inequalities across Plymouth through the provision of analytical and intelligence-related expertise.

In response to questions raised it was reported that the Public Health Team have a working arrangement with the local authority which enables them to have a team working with each of the directorates.  There was also strong partnership working with other agencies within the city.  Public Health Team have recently submitted an Expression of Interest which has been forwarded to the NHS to participate in the Healthy New Town Programme which aims to make the connections between planning and health. 

K47:  Deliver plans that reduce individual risk factors and strengthen the role and impact of early intervention and prevention

This key action describes much of the work of the Public Health Team in preventing or detecting and intervening early.  Some of this is delivered through commissioning or delivering programmes of work and some by working with and influencing partners across the city.

Agreed that –

1.         A response to the Public Health consultation to be formulated and signed off by Chair and Vice Chair.

2.         A briefing report on breastfeeding take-up is circulated to Caring Panel.

The Panel to receive NEW Devon CCG’s Finance Report.

Jerry Clough – Chief Operating Officer of CCG and Managing Director Western Locality provided the Panel with NEW Devon’s CCG Finance Report.  It was reported that –

(a)           the CCG currently have a deficit budget of £40m and receiving support from NHS England.  The CCG were hoping for a significantly reduced deficit next year and to be out of monthly deficit by the middle of next year;

(b)          NEW Devon CCG was one of the 3 CCG’s under the Success Regime which aims to strengthen and increase capacity;

(c)           the hospital have not been hitting A & E and diagnostic targets and have subsequently received repeated fines.  To date this figure is £1.5m and this is something the CCG are required to do and will have discussions with the hospital on how to reinvest the money.

In response to questions raised it was reported that -

(d)          the hospital experienced a difficult winter last year and will go into this winter with a high demand of people arriving sicker.  Additional capacity for this winter has been implemented with the opening of the Robin Community Assessment Hub which puts the hospital in a better position moving into this winter;

(e)          patients were entitled to choose where they wanted to be treated, i.e. an elderly patient can choose to have surgery near their family and transport would be provided depending on the treatment required.

The Panel to take part in NHS England’s consultation on NHS Maternity Review.

NHS England are undertaking a review of maternity services in England.  The review will assess current maternity care provision and consider how services should be developed to meet the changing needs of women and babies. 

Agreed that –

1.         Councillors Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Aspinall and Mrs Bridgeman to form a small working group to take part in NHS England’s Review of Maternity Services;

2.         A desktop exercise is undertaken gathering local evidence on maternity services in Plymouth and review again in the New Year.

The Panel to review and monitor the progress of tracking resolutions and receive any relevant feedback from the Co-operative Scrutiny Board.

The Panel noted the progress made with the tracking resolutions and agreed that the Chair formally invites Healthwatch to attend a Caring Plymouth meeting to share the Healthwatch Annual Report.

The Panel to discuss and agree future items for the Caring Plymouth Work Programme.

The Panel noted the work programme and agreed that the following items are included -

·         Healthwatch Annual Report

·         Alcohol strategy

·         Child Measurement Programme

·         Wellbeing Survey Results

·         Invite the Chair of the Health Wellbeing Board

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There were no items of exempt business.