The Chair welcomed everyone to the first hybrid meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Dr Vasa Gnanapragam, Dr Andrew Otley, Dr Mohan Sekeram, Dr Aditi Shah and Jane McSherry.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th January 2021, were agreed as a correct record.

The Independent Chair of the Adult Safeguarding Board (SAB), Aileen Buckton presented the Safeguarding Adults Annual Report 2019/20.

She explained that she recently took up her post in May 2021, but referred to the success of the work during the period concerned. She referenced the examples of tackling under-reporting by ensuring people were made aware how to raise concerns, as reflected in the increased numbers of referrals. Also, learning events have been held to tackle specific areas of concern and initiatives undertaken to build the SAB itself, including the creation subgroups and agreed Terms of Reference, which she reflected are important factors for a stable partnership. She invited the views and input of the Board.

The discussion highlighted the following points:

• There was learning from the pandemic on safeguarding that can help to support people, especially in the way that partners had come together to share resources and concerns.
• Partners needed to take collective responsibility to put safeguarding actions into practice.
• Whilst it was strategically important for safeguarding to be considered at an ICS level moving forward, safeguarding was really about the local place where people live and work, and there needs to be an ongoing discussion to ensure this focus.

John Morgan advised the Board that Aileen Buckton had also recently become Independent Chair of Merton Safeguarding Children’s Board (MSCB) for the forthcoming year, so there would be opportunities to work across the two including transition to adulthood.

The Chair thanked Aileen and looked forward to welcoming her to a future Board meeting.

Presentation to be provided at the meeting

Presentation to be provided at the meeting

The Director of Public Health provided an update on COVID-19 in Merton, outlining the latest data on numbers of cases, testing and vaccination.

In the ensuing discussion, the following points were highlighted:

·         Pop up vaccination points were very welcome, but it would be helpful to have more notice of where they would be, and for them to be publicised as widely as possible.

·         The Moderna vaccine tended to only to be provided at mass vaccination sites.

·         It was important for people to continue with regular LFD testing and, wherever possible, to register the results.

·         Whilst there were ongoing discussions on a booster vaccination programme, nothing concrete was planned as yet.

·         The NHS was very busy, with a slight bottleneck in primary care leading to particularly high levels of paediatric and mental health cases at A&E, together with some worried well, who have not been able to see a clinician for some time.

·         The support that Public Health was continuing to give to schools was acknowledged. There was also potential for vaccination for 16 to 17 year olds after the summer break.

The Director of Public Health provided an update on the work of the HWBB Community Subgroup. Insight reports from both BAME Voice and Merton Mencap had been circulated to Members prior to the Board and it was emphasised as particularly important that this insight feeds into future plans for recovery.

The Director of Public Health outlined the Local Outbreak Management Plan (LOMP) which had been circulated to Members ahead of the meeting. It had been recommended by the Community Subgroup to the Board.

Presentation to be provided at the meeting

Mark Creelman – Locality Executive Director, Merton and Wandsworth
NHS South West London CCG provided an NHS update. This included outlines of partnership vaccination success to date, the East Merton Model and Health and Wellbeing, planning towards the ICS and the Better Care Fund.

Members welcomed the presentation and were keen to continue to receive further updates in relation to both the ICS and East Merton Model. Arising from the presentation, the following points were highlighted:

• That the voice of children and young people be included in consideration of patient voice.
• That Merton Health and Care Together would be a conduit for the work towards the ICS, helping to refresh priorities relating to start well, live well and age well, and reporting to the HWBB.
• Emphasis on the need for clear communication throughout transition, especially given some of the complexities of changes, and including communication with staff.
• The importance of continued support for the voluntary sector to thrive, alongside recognition of the value of preventative services.

RESOLVED: That members of the HWBB agreed the Better Care Fund Plan 2020-21

Presentation to be provided at the meeting

Chris Lee presented the LBM Recovery and Modernisation Programme, including the Your Merton engagement programme - the largest ever undertaken in Merton - and the associated website which he encouraged members to input to. He also referenced cross-cutting projects and gave an outline timescale for the work.

Board members were asked to consider:

• The longer term health and wellbeing impacts for our communities in Merton;
• What priorities are likely to emerge from Your Merton or should be considered for the ambition;
• How might the Health and Wellbeing Board shape and contribute to the ambition.