Apologies for absence were received from: Yvette Stanley (Director of Children, Schools and Families); and Adam Doyle and Geoffrey Hollier, MCCG (Merton Clinical Commissioning Group).

Prior to discussion of items on the agenda, at the invitation of  the Chair, Donna Johnson, Services Manager, Merton Dementia Hub (where the meeting was being held), outlined the services provided by the Hub including -
(a) that the Hub had been opened by the Council with the Alzheimer’s Society as service provider for people with dementia and their carers;
(b) that services were provided both at the Hub and across the Borough;
(c) the help and access to services given to those just diagnosed with dementia;
(d) information and support for carers, including separate support groups for those with dementia and carers;
(e) access to various therapies and facilities such as “singing for the brain” sessions, dementia cafés, falls prevention and chair zumba; and
(g) new project to work with young people diagnosed with dementia.

Donna Johnson then briefly responded to questions, including the provision of services to ethnic minorities.  The Chair then thanked her for addressing the Board.

None

Consideration of this item was brought forward.  Eleanor Brown, MCCG (Merton Clinical Commissioning Group) introduced the report including outlining the presentation included within the agenda.

There was discussion of ways to ensure that doctors, especially young doctors, were attracted to general practice in the future, and in South West London the problem of property prices for doctors wishing to live in the area.

Paul Ballatt (Children, Schools and Families Dept.) referred to the need to give young people a voice in any consultation and in the provision of services.

Eleanor Brown confirmed that the timetable for the proposed transformation was 5 years but that some aspects, such as extended opening hours for practices, would need to be implemented earlier.  She confirmed that an action plan/schedule for the transformation would be produced.

RESOLVED: The Board notes the Transforming Primary Care update.

Kay Eilbert (Director of Public Health Merton) suggested that an action sheet be issued in addition to the Minutes.  (NB. Democratic Services will highlight resolutions for each item in future.)

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2014 be agreed as a correct record.

Kay Eilbert introduced this report.

RESOLVED: (A) To note that the statutory 60 day consultation of the draft PNA has been completed and responses are being collated.

(B) That the final draft PNA will be sent to HWB members in mid February for comment, in advance of its finalisation.

(C) That the HWB agrees to receive the completed PNA at its March 2015 meeting for adoption; in advance of the statutory deadline of 1^st April 2015.

Kay Eilbert introduced this report, and highlighted progress as outlined in the table included in the report.

In response to queries from Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender about specific services for people with learning disabilities, Kay Eilbert advised that Public Health looked at universal needs across Merton for all residents, including those residents with disabilities; and that where specific needs are identified, this would be considered as a priority, but wider work would continue to be delivered outside of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy priorities.  Kay Eilbert undertook to contact Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender further on the issue.

There was then discussion of the contribution which the voluntary sector could make to assist people with disabilities, and the level of support needed from local and central government.

RESOLVED: That the progress on the delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Priority 2: (Supporting People to Improve their Wellbeing) be noted.

Chris Lee (Director of Environment & Regeneration) introduced the report.

Khadiru Mahdi, MVSC (Merton Voluntary Services Council) advised that further data on volunteers was available and circulated some copies with the relevant data (which was subsequently published on Merton’s web-site – with the other agenda papers for the meeting).

Reference was made to the lack of a target for the number of betting shops/related businesses in the Borough (in para. 4.5.5 on agenda page 57).

RESOLVED: That the Health and Wellbeing Board review and agree responses, from the Sustainable Communities and Transport Partnership, to the actions set out in the attached draft Health and Well Being Delivery Plan 2013/14 for Priority Theme 4: Improving wellbeing, resilience and connectedness.

Pursuant to Access to Information regulations, the Chair has approved the submission of this report for the following reason:

This report provides draft outcomes from all partners for the Health and Wellbeing Strategy which are required for discussion and agreement by the HWB to allow progress to the schedule of the strategy.

Reason for Urgency: The Chair had approved the submission of this report as a matter of urgency for the following reason:

“This report provides draft outcomes from all partners for the Health and Wellbeing Strategy which are required for discussion and agreement by the HWB to allow progress to the schedule of the strategy.”

Kay Eilbert introduced this report, including highlighting -
(i) the five themes that the Board agreed make up a good life in Merton;
(ii) the Board’s decision to refresh the HWB Strategy for 2015-18 around these 5 themes.
(iii) the need to possibly focus on fewer outcomes so as to get the “biggest bang for the buck” so that limited funds were focused on areas where most could be achieved to reduce inequalities in Merton for the amount expended.

There was discussion of how the provisions in the Strategy would relate to people with disabilities, older people, and to certain health issues being more prevalent in certain ethnic minorities.  Reference was also made to the inequalities in the eastern part of Merton compared to the western part.

Consideration was given to possibly reducing the number of outcomes proposed, and whether priority should be focussed on certain specific areas.  The Board didn’t agree the report’s recommendations as drafted, but instead -

RESOLVED: To agree and support the broad outlines of the draft outcomes for the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, including the five proposed themes, subject to there being a focus within these themes on what will make the biggest impact and specifically on health inequalities.

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