Agenda item

(1)    The Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board noted that the Department of Health had published a document explaining the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies. A copy of the document was attached to the report for the Shadow Boards reference.

(2)    The statutory guidance on the development of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the Health and Wellbeing Strategies is due to be published this month following the enactment of the Health and Social Care Bill.

(3)    The Department of Health has set up a National Learning Network for Health and Wellbeing Boards to develop knowledge and behaviours that enable them to work more effectively to deliver their shared purpose.

(4)    The three key messages for Health and Wellbeing Boards were:

·              The Board provides an opportunity to build upon good practice in taking existing JSNAs further so enabling the transformation of services through collaborative leadership and the development of a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy;

·              The Health and Wellbeing Strategy supports the Health and Wellbeing Board to take the step from assessing needs and available assets to planning and delivery of integrated services and collectively addressing the underlying determinants of health and wellbeing. In this way the JSNA and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy combined form the basis for local decisions that drive service change such as investment and disinvestment in services according to local needs and engagement in the local community; and

·              The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy is a unique opportunity for the Health and Wellbeing Board Members to explore together the local issues they have not managed to tackle on their own.

(5)         The JSNAs were due for completion by April 2012 which would inform the Health and Wellbeing Strategies by May in time for Clinical Commissioning Groups and Local Authorities to begin planning for the financial year 2013 to 2014. There was widespread agreement that this timetable should be achieved.

(6)         The Chairman drew the Shadow Boards attention to the governments timetable on page 29 of the guidance as well as the important paragraphs on page 41 relating to “Engaging the Public” ……..”This will not only be the opportunity for the public to shape their services, as CCGs and the NHS Commissioning Board will also be required to involve the public and service users in the planning of services or service change, as local authorities already do. Health and Wellbeing Boards might consider how other local partners engage with the public and identify opportunities for alignment and rationalisation”.

(7)         The Board acknowledged that it was ahead in the preparation of the JSNA. Much more work was needed to get the JSNA as final as possible and acceptable to all the partners.  It was important that Meradin Peachey worked with colleagues in the District Councils CCGs PCT and with the Community Engagement Team of the County Council to develop a comprehensive Engagement Strategy

(8)         The role of the Patient Participation Groups was emphasised as well as the LINk.

(9)    Some of the work which had been used in the successful bid for Healthwatch Pathfinder status would be useful resource.

(10)  The Board resolved that the resources with expertise within the PCT, County Council and District Councils should ensure that they are working together on a shared engagement strategy which is welcomed support for the Clinical Commissioning Groups.