The Chair invited Board Members to provide an update:

·         Alison Botham (Director of Children’s Services, Plymouth City Council) reported the return of schools in September and the remarkable effort from the staff and from across the partnership.  They were looking at the health and wellbeing of children since returning back to school and it was highlighted that attendance across primary and secondary was high.  They were ensuring the continued contact with children and young people and social workers were making best use of digital to provide support more effectively.

·         Claire Hill (Deputy CEO Mannamead Wellbeing Hub) reported that the whole hub network had identified specialisms within each hub and to share this across the city.  Focussing on key areas:  mental health, loneliness and digital inclusion and working on a bid to support and continue this work.  The voluntary and community sector communicating that they were open for business as well as planning for the winter and further restrictions and were delivering a hybrid service on-line service and were open for face-to-face which cause capacity issues.  The question was asked with the front line staff working within the voluntary and community sector were eligible for free flu vaccinations.  Currently they were paying for staff to be vaccinated and would like the criteria to be reassessed.

·         Anna Coles (Service Director of Integrated Commissioning) reported that the healthcare system was stretched with challenging demand.  They were continuing to support providers across the city and picking up individual issues.  Recruitment of front line care staff looking at career paths building on the Proud to Care campaign with the view to attract people into this area of work.  The Independence at Home Team were looking to recruit 6 apprentices. 

·         Ruth Harrell (Director of Public Health, Plymouth City Council) reported on the good practice taking place within Plymouth with the wider networks coming together to unite on how to tackle this big challenge.

·         Ann James (Chief Executive, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust) reported that occupancy was at around 96% and they were managing a small but growing number of Covid patients.  They were providing continued support to fatigued staff from the first wave.  The Trust Board meetings now take place on teams which has resulted in more public engagement.  The Board declared a health climate emergency and would be focussing on buildings, workforce, transport and sustainability.  They have made a commitment to diversity and would be addressing a number key issues faced for women, BAME, disability, LBGT+ and religious groups.  They were encouraging staff and patients to have the flu vaccination and working collaboratively across the system to facilitate tests.

·         Craig McArdle (Strategic Director for People, Plymouth City Council) reported that the council had given the green light to the Vines and Colwill Lodge being pulled together into one facility enhancing life chances.  Thanked the hospital and Livewell SW for their continued support with care homes.

·         Nick Pennell (Healthwatch Devon, Plymouth and Torbay) reported that Healthwatch now have a Devon-wide approach corporately but act locally.  They were producing a weekly newsletter providing advice and information and focussing on two particular services: access to GPs and access to dental services.  Future project to work more closely with PPGs to strengthen the voice of the public.  They were also supporting the ethical reference groups and have produced a Covid-19 report highlighting the digital divide.  They would also continue to ensure that the public voice was heard in a more creative way.

·         Dr Shelagh McCormick (Devon NHS CCG) reported that GPs working with Covid were ensuring safe work practices at the forefront and catching up on the work paused such as screenings and immunisations in a safe way.  Flu Clinics were running well and innovative work taking place in Plymouth and gave thanks to the council for the facility within the city centre providing a walkthrough and drive through flu clinic to allow people to be vaccinated in a safe way.  They were continuing the PCN work however recruitment to additional roles had proved difficult.  GP recruitment remains challenging.    The implementation of enhanced help in care homes and aligning with PCNs to provide personalised care plans and working with Livewell SW on schemes to keep people out of hospital.