No declarations were made.

Apologies were received from Penny Emerit (Owen richards attended on her behalf), Melanie Monaghan, Barbara Price and Yvette Stanley (Paul Ballatt attended on her behalf).

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2014 are agreed as a correct record.

None.

With the agreement of the meeting the Chair varied the order of the agenda to allow items 6, 9, 10 and 11 to be taken as the next items of business.

Johan van Wijgerden introduced the report and confirmed that work was being done to separate out the data for Sutton and Merton.  Asked about the provision of information for ethnic groups he said that leaflets in different languages are available from health visitors, GP surgeries and on the website.

Councillor Maxi Martin offered to distribute leaflets through a women’s group at the Baitul Futuh Mosque  and asked for leaflets in Urdu to be sent to her.

Dr Kay Eilbert advised that, together with MVSC, the Council will be starting a community outreach project which will focus on such issues and will concentrate on the East of the borough.

Eleanor Brown suggested that the role of health visitors be extended to include giving vaccinations, as is done in some parts of the country. Johan van Wijgerden agreed to raise this with the Head of Early Years and Immunisation.  He confirmed that there are plans to use children’s centres for vaccinations which are expected to be in place in 3–4 months’ time.  He also agreed to report back the concern that work to provide data for Merton only should be expedited.

Report RECEIVED.

Reason for urgency: The Chair approved the submission of the report as a matter of urgency as it is a requirement that the Better Care Fund strategic plan is agreed by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Introducing the report Simon Williams advised that the submission had been approved by Cabinet subject to the Board’s approval.

RESOLVED: That the Better Care Fund Submission, as attached to the report, is approved and submitted to NHS England and the Local Government Association.

Simon Williams introduced the report and advised that Cabinet had approved the agreement subject to the approval of the Board.

Asked about performance management Simon Williams advised that arrangements similar to the current practice of quarterly meetings with the Mental Health trust would be set up.

            RESOLVED: That the Board

            (1) agree the Section 75 agreement and all attached schedules; and

(2) authorise the Director of Community and Housing to join the Chief Executive of the Trust to oversee the operation of the agreement,

Reason for urgency: The Chair approved the submission of the report as a matter of urgency as it provides the latest available information on the impact and implications of the Care Bill which are significant to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Simon Williams gave an overview of the report and advised that the redesign programme would be brought to the Board at a later stage.

Eleanor Brown reported that a briefing was being provided for commissioning managers and Ian Beever advised that Simon Williams would address the INVOLVE Network.

The Chair drew attention to widespread concerns about underfunding and the resulting implications.

            RESOLVED: That the report is noted.

Introducing the report Paul Ballatt advised that the Bill had received Royal Assent in the previous week and that Merton is working towards starting the key elements in autumn.

            RESOLVED: That the Board

            (1) note the contents of the report; and

(2) agree to receive a further update on progress in implementing the requirements of the new legislation in due course.

Adam Doyle gave a presentation which updated the version printed on the agenda and advised that regular updates would be brought to the Board.

Eleanor Brown suggested that the negative responses to the GP survey might be because it was carried by means of a questionnaire, and those who had a poor experience might be more likely to reply.  She agreed to follow up on the Chair’s request for data allowing comparison between the east and west of the borough.  Ian Beever advised that Healthwatch had found that consistency, rather than geographical location, was an issue.  Healthwatch would be looking at these inconsistencies over the next year.  He further advised that MVSC will be carrying out a pilot project at a Cricket Green practice to help them with information management and that they will also be working with Health Champions.

Eleanor Brown provided a verbal update on the Call to Action programme, advising that it had involved approximately 200 people.

The full report would be published in April.  It would be sent out to all groups who had been contacted and would be available on the website.

The report was NOTED.

Dr Kay Eilbert introduced the report.

            RESOLVED: That the Board –

(1) agrees that, once the draft Adult Mental Health Needs Assessment is reviewed and agreed by the Merton Mental health Task and Finish Group, it is made available to the Board and to the public; and

(2) notes that the next two stages of the review (Prioritisation Activity and Strategy development) commenced on 13/03/14.

Dr Kay Eilbert introduced the report.

Adam Doyle added that the task and finish group have drafted the strategic outline case which it has been agreed will go to the CCG Governing Body, after which the business case and Project Initiation Document will be prepared. In answer to questions he confirmed that work previously undertaken would be used to support the case and that all financial models of delivery are being considered, including the capital receipt from the existing building.

Paul Ballatt was given an assurance that Children’s Services would be engaged in the project.

East Merton Model of Care will be a standing item on the Board’s agenda.

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the progress on the development of a Model of Care for East Merton that ensures early detection of disease when it can be cured or managed closest to home, either in primary or community care.

Introducing the reports Dr Kay Eilbert advised that the Health and Wellbeing Strategy would be simplified for the next refresh.

Chris Lee circulated a revised version of the delivery plan for priority theme 4. He drew attention to progress made, including the significant reduction in worklessness and progress in community safety.

Asked why the impact of domestic violence was not shown Chris Lee advised that the current objective was to increase the level of reporting. Kay Eilbert undertook to look at this in the refresh.

Councillor Maxi Martin said that a volunteer day would be held at the BaitulFutuh Mosque on 4 June as many of the women had expressed interest in volunteering.

On the question of health issues related to the high street Eleanor Brown and Kay Eilbert agreed to jointly write to Lord Ara Darzi drawing attention to the legislative constraints on authorities trying to control the number of licensed premises and betting shops in their areas.

RESOLVED: That the Board notes the progress on the development and delivery of the Health and Wellbeing strategy Priority 2: Supporting People to Improve their Wellbeing and Priority 4: Improving Wellbeing, Resilience and Connectedness.

            RESOLVED: That the Board –

(1) notes that it has new statutory duties relating to the Pharmaceutrical Needs Assessment(PNA);

(2) notes that following a competitive procurement exercise, joint with Sutton Council, that Primary Care Commissioning has been appointed to produce Merton’s PNA;

(3) notes that the PNA process will take up to 12 months, which includes a duty to consult with a number of interested parties for a minimum of 60 days; and

(4) agrees to receive regular updates on the progress of the PNA.

Ian Beever introduced the report and advised that it will be included as part of the induction for Merton councillors following the May elections.  He further advised the Board that the Volunteer Centre Merton will be merging with the MVSC at the end of June. 

RESOLVED: That the Board note that in order to steer their way  forward to manage change, the research highlights the voluntary sector will need –

(a) support and information to understand the changing policy, legislative and funding environment in which they operate

(b) support to fundraise from public bodies, trusts and importantly unrestricted funds

(c)  support to work collaboratively to maximise opportunities for contracts and funding

(d) support to maximise the financial capital in the borough through volunteering and local business networks.

RESOLVED: To note the progress in the delivery of the Merton Community Health and Wellbeing Fund in East Merton.

The Board noted the dates of future meetings.

Concerns raised by Councillor Maxi Martin about the issues of female genital mutilation and the higher incidences of still births among African, Asian and Pakistani populations were also noted.  It was agreed not to add these issues to the Board’s work programme at this point as future agenda were fully committed.