Agenda item

Anjan Ghosh (Director of Public Health) and Mike Gogarty (Interim Strategic Lead for Public Health) were in attendance for this item

1.    Dr Gosh (Director of Public Health) introduced the reportand noted the extensive work undertaken on the Integrated Care Strategy, which began with the formation of the Integrated Care Board in July 2022. The strategy, also served as Kent's Joint Health and Wellbeing strategy, which was first produced in December 2022 and finalised in early 2024 after extensive engagement. The strategy involved a whole council approach, covering various areas such as early years, family hubs, adult social care, and workplace well-being. The strategy would act as the foundation for future work, especially in light of devolution and local government reorganisation.

2.    Dr Gogarty (Interim Strategic Lead for Public Health) emphasised that addressing health issues required a collective effort beyond traditional health services. The action plan, which included contributions from various directorates, aimed to improve health and well-being across Kent. Despite financial challenges, the council was committed to delivering these priorities, at low or no cost. Dr Gogarty highlighted the importance of the council's role as a system leader in health and well-being noted that the strategy was a comprehensive and corporately owned effort.

3.    Further to comments and questions from Members it was noted:

·         Members commented on the approach to children's mental health and emphasised the need for a fundamental review of how those services were addressed. There were potential benefits of local government reorganisation and devolution, particularly in terms of strategic thinking and service integration, which could improve the delivery of outcomes for the likes of children’s mental health services amongst others.

·         Mr Watkins and the Leader were part of the membership for the Integrated Care System Leaders Group meeting. This group, which included leaders from Medway Council and senior members of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), focused on addressing any issues with the indicators in the plan and finding solutions to ensure progress.

·         Low-level interventions at the neighbourhood community level, played an important part in heling to keep people out of hospitals and statutory adult social care, enabling them to live fulfilling lives at home.

·         A proposal from the Government's Working Party suggested council leaders should annually report on the state of the county, not just the council. The broader approach aimed to evaluate the county's performance relative to other regions. Despite current challenges, it was essential that the Council addressed the poor performance. The Delivery Plan and associated work would help resolve the identified issues.

·         The Integrated Care Strategy remained a partnership effort and involved statutory organisations, the voluntary sector, NHS trusts, and individual responsibility. Whilst the various organisations supported healthy behaviours, individuals were expected to also make their own healthy choices. There needed to be a shared responsibility and personal commitment to health.

4.    RESOLVED that Cabinet agree to:

(a)  Adopt the Integrated Care Strategy Delivery Plan on behalf of Kent County Council

(b)  Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and Leader of the Council to refresh and/or make non-substantial revisions to the Integrated Care Strategy Delivery Plan as appropriate during the lifetime of the document; and

(c)  Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the relevant Corporate Directors of affected services, to take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of, and entering into required contract or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.