Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted by members.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 29 May 2024

RESOLVED that the minutes be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Members considered a report that provided an update on the submission of the Stockton-on-Tees BCF Year end report and the BCF Plan Addendum which was submitted to the National Better Care Fund Team, NHS England on 23 May and 10 June respectively. 

Discussion and key points, included:-

¾    Consideration should be given to including local metrics, for example, mental health discharges.

¾    The weekend discharge service had been decommissioned as the allocated funding had not been used.

¾    Home to Hospital Service had not been renewed as there had been consistently low uptake.

¾    Data needed some contextual information.

RESOLVED that the Board endorses the submission of the Stockton-on-Tees BCF Year end 23/24 report and BCF Plan Addendum to NHS England as part of the reporting requirements set out in the BCF Planning Requirements 23-25.  

The Board considered a report related to work that tackled alcohol-related harms in the borough which involved the development and implementation of a system-wide, strategic approach across partners.  The report also provided an update on some of the activities underway under this system-wide approach, including alcohol licensing; local comms and campaigns; treatment pathways; and data collection.

Members noted a range of strategic and operational delivery to reduce alcohol-related harm in Stockton-on-Tees continues to expand and improve at both a community and individual level.  Work continued to build pathways of support across agencies in recognition that our most vulnerable residents were likely to experience additional issues e.g. mental ill health, homelessness etc.  Co-production and working with local communities was a priority locally and preventing and addressing alcohol harm would remain important under the new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, currently being developed. 

Discussion and key points, included:-

¾    An overlay of socio economic information would be useful in future reports.

¾    It was suggested that there was a drinking culture in the North East that increased hospital admissions.

¾    The impact of alcohol misuse is greater in lower income communities.

¾    It was confirmed that the Board supported a Minimum Unit Price Policy.

¾    The Board felt that peer support worked well.

¾    Members asked that Recovery Connections be contacted and a request be made to show a Co-produced video, from its Peer Support members, at a future meeting. The video describes the journey of people who have been through the alcohol substance services and wanted to tell their stories to help others and professionals learn.

¾    Members would be provided with the current guidance on alcohol consumption.

¾    Work with Children and Young People would be provided in the next update.

¾    Members noted work relating to the Making Every Contact Count approach.

¾    The next update would include alcohol pricing and the licensing system.

¾    Public Health and Planning to consider what controls on licenced premises could be exercised, via the Local Plan.

RESOLVED that:

1.    Discussion be noted and actioned, as appropriate.

2.    the system-wide activities underway, to help tackle alcohol-related harms, in the borough, be noted.

3.    the workforce-training and Making Every Contact Count (MECC) offer, for all key staff across the local system be supported.

4.    a further update on alcohol pricing and licensing, as part of the next update, on alcohol to the Board, be provided.

The Board considered a presentation relating to;-

¾    Smoking prevalence in the Borough

¾    Stop smoking services

¾    Government Funding and the Stop smoking services support grant 24/25

¾    Work of the Smokefree Alliance including Health Needs Assessment recommendations

¾    The release of workforce for brief intervention training.

Discussion and key points, included:-

¾    A number of focus groups had been held with smokers, in the community, and links had been made with smokers via the Community Wellbeing Champions’ Network.

¾    The Council was keen to link with organisations’ workforces to provide training.

¾    Future funding would become clearer after the General Election and the partners would need to consider how some of the work would continue if funding was changed.

¾    The Board noted the significant implications for all services needed for people choosing to continue to smoke, in terms of health, social care etc.

RESOLVED that;

1.            The discussion be noted and actioned as appropriate.

2.            The ongoing work be endorsed.

3.            The release of workforce for brief intervention training/embedding in roles be supported the update and presentations be noted and the proposals included be endorsed.

Stockton on Tees Adult Social Care Service would be undergoing a Peer Review Inspection week commencing 8 July 2024.  Also, the Council had received notification from the CQC that it would be inspecting the service within the next 6 months.  Outcomes from both inspections would be provided when available.

The Health and Wellbeing Hub was open, with a launch scheduled on 26 July 2024.

ICP meetings had been cancelled due to their proximity to the General Election.

Hartlepool and Stockton Health’s community outreach bus had been delivered and recently had held a test event, with 40 people attending.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy to be added for July, plus organisation of future board meetings, including widening contributions and increase in children and young people related items.

Healthwatch to be contacted regarding its Annual Report and Dentistry Report.

Right Care, Right Person to be scheduled for September.

RESOLVED that the forward plan be noted.