Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Janice Howard and Councillor Oonagh Moulton attended as a substitute. Apologies were also received from Diane Griffin, Co-opted Member.

There were no declarations of pecuniary interests

The minutes of the meeting held on the 26 April were agreed as a true and accurate record.

The Public Health Lead for Covid Resilience gave an overview of the latest data on the impact of Covid-19 in Merton. It was reported that rates are hovering between 250 and 300 infections per 100,000 residents per week  and  continued caution must be exercised to prevent rates rising further in the autumn. In response to questions it was reported that:

The approach to smaller pop-up sites will continue to be used by NHS colleagues to target particular groups for vaccination.

Details of the booster programme are due imminently from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Measures are being put in place to improve uptake amongst young people and a range of opportunities are being used e.g Young Adult Community Champions and social media to target vaccination messages.

To reduce the risk of Covid at large scale events taking place in Merton over the weekend of the 4/5 September the Working Safety Advisory Group has reviewed the organisers risk assessments and also asked that a Covid Pass or proof of a lateral flow test is presented by all attendees. There will also be a pop-up vaccination clinic on site.  

 
Analysis of the number of deaths, including place of death those who have will be reviewed as part of the wider learning from the pandemic.

National surveillance is in place for variants under investigationand varients of concern with a sample of all positive PCR tests have been sent for sequencing. The Delta variant of concern is the dominant variant in the UK and is far more transmissible than the previously dominant Alpha variant of concern

The Executive Locality Director reported that the Covid booster vaccination will be available to the over 80s and most vulnerable at the end of September.

The Chief Executive of South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust gave an overview of the report highlighting that the new Integrated Care System (ICS) will be implemented.  There is a firm commitment to build on existing partnerships.

In response to questions it was reported that:

For local residents the new ICS will mean that all different aspects of health are seamless with the money and investment following the needs of the health population.

The ICS will aim to improve outcomes and tackle inequalities.  

In response to concerns about the restructure of the NHS,  the Interim Director of Community and Housing reported that this is an opportunity to do things differently and work in a more integrated way.

The proposals for the East Merton Model of Health are being developed and will be taken forward.

There are no current proposals for funding cuts, the aim is to integrate systems.

Directors and leaders will be able to take on the additional role of managing the ICS because an effective structure will make delivery easier, there is a CCG staffing resource to support the changes.

The Health and Care Bill has a greater emphasis on prevention which will address long term inequalities

Decisions about the allocation of budgets within the new ICS will be taken at place level with place categorised as London Borough of Merton.

As there is little additional money for prevention, this work will be realised through using population data to redirect resources and galvanising the work of the partnership. Projects to support fragile and vulnerable residents and social prescribing are examples where greater partnership working is providing better outcomes for residents.

RESOLVED

The Chair thanked officers for their reports and asked for further updates as the work progresses.

This item was deferred to the next meeting

The draft work programme was agreed subject to the following:

Request to be made to NHS England for details on current vaccination uptake rates in Merton to determine if this area would benefit from an in-depth task group review.

Chair to speak with the Chair of the Children and Young People Panel to request for the children’s immunisation to be considered by this panel

Proposals for the transfer of in-patient renal services from Epsom and St Helier to St Georges Hospital be included in work programme