Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Strategy and Population Health

The Board received a report which set out a draft Health and Care Strategy as was required of the Integrated Care System of North West London.

Toby Lambert, Executive Director of Strategy for North West London’s Integrated Care Board introduced the report and presentation (which had been circulated), outlining the headlines and giving a flavour of the content of each.  He explained that the Board’s views were sought on the content of the draft strategy.

In considering the draft strategy, the Board made the following comments;

·                 The strategy strayed into areas that were not the responsibility of the Integrated Care Board (ICB).  It was not clear why the ICB was monitoring NEET target for employment and education and the general feedback was that if a partner was to commit to a strategy it needed to be involved in writing it.  The strategy required broader input from boroughs and engagement with partners was key.

·                 Clarification was sought as to whether the strategy was fully costed against the ICB budget as there appeared to be no finance section.  In response the Board was advised that the ICB were committed to equitable provision of service and this would be made clearer in the strategy.

·                 In terms of the equality funding element, Harrow was one of the lowest funded of the 8 boroughs and so residents did not benefit.

·                 A commitment within the strategy to devolve to the borough based partnership would be welcomed.

·                 Much of Harrow’s funding had been based on a history of need and it needed to be equitable.

·                 In terms of the social care elements of the strategy, the level of consultation with the 8 Directors of Adult Social Services (DASS) was questioned.  It was confirmed that it had been signed off at a consultation level.  Mr Lambert advised that some boroughs had written to him indicating what they would like to see in the strategy and he would encourage Harrow to do likewise.

·                 The voluntary sector workforce, an important part of the local workforce, was missing from the workforce section.

·                 In terms of the estates strategy and access to primary care, the impact of regeneration projects and new residents in the borough could make accessing/ registering with a GP a challenge.  The inclusion of new health centres within regeneration projects could assist.

·                 It was commented that more ambition, including that for more devolved powers, should be seen within the strategy.  In response, the Board was advised that the ambition was ‘to do things once’ particularly as NHS England had indicated that the budget would be reduced by 30%.

·                 The inclusion of more information about language and interpretation in the strategy had been expected as it was important to ensure that those with needs could communicate and feedback.

·                 The local authority would provide details of its estates work and residents’ survey to the ICB.

The Chair requested that the engagement details be forwarded to the Council’s Communications Team.

RESOLVED:  That the report, presentation and comments made by the Board be noted.