Agenda item

-  Assuring Outcomes for West Kent

Malti Varshney introduced the report which provided members with an opportunity to examine the West Kent position in relation to progress against a limited number of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Indicators:

Outcome 1 – Every child has the best start in life

Outcome 2 – Effective prevention  of ill health by people taking greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing and

Indicator 3.9, reducing the number of hip fractures for people aged  65 and over (as requested by the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board).

Ms Varshney highlighted the eight indicators outlined in section 3 of the report, where West Kent performance was rated ‘Red’ suggesting performance is below an acceptable level in comparison to the Kent average or National figures and invited comments from members of the Board on the following specific issues:

·  Increasing Slope Index showing there was little success in addressing inequalities amongst men

·  Figures showed 2/3 of the population with excess weight

·  Breast and Cervical cancer screening is decreasing in certain districts (this was of particular concern, as there was evidence from research of a link between deprivation and ‘health enhancing behaviours’

·  There was particular concern regarding Hip Fractures and Injury due to falls.

The following comments were shared in discussion:

·  Where interventions to address falls prevention had been funded, had any evaluation been undertaken to understand the impact /increase in falls?(Cllr Bosley)

·  There were different parts of the system commissioning interventions aimed at addressing falls, there should be consideration on ‘joining up’ this activity (Malti Varshney)

·  The CCG had withdrawn the current Falls Prevention and

  Postural Stability service. Plans were in hand to enter into discussions about re-procurement (Andrew Roxburgh)

·  The Board should consider the scope for examining related areas of activity which may impact on these indicators. There was scope for the CCG to assess the Right Care Packs (which provided a focus on variation between activity in West Kent in relation to similar populations and assisted the focus on local areas where intervention, might be necessary. It was suggested that pathways for musculo-skeletal conditions and osteoarthritis might be useful starting points

·  It was reported that the Board had undertaken a depth review of this issue in the past, concern was expressed about the outcome of that activity – need to re-visit (Alison Broom)

·  In the last 3 years, the position had been very different as West Kent districts had been held up as exemplars (Bob Bowes)

·  The Alcohol Task & Finish Group had met recently to review its action plan and had agreed to focus attention on the development of specific measures for assessing improvement. Each action within the Strategy Plan had an identified ‘owner/lead agency’ and they were being supported to look at what data sets were available and the scope for examining integrated data sets (Kas Hardy)

·  The role of the Local Children’s Partnership Groups was vital in terms of work with children and young people to influence prevention and early education, the Board needed to ensure good dialogue on these issues (Cllr Bosley)

·  There was also a need to reflect on the complexity of the issue and also to consider the need to address other related issues such as balance, social isolation, depression – Tai Chi, Dance are both activities that could  be of benefit. (Caroline Jessel)

The Board resolved:

1.  To commission a time limited piece of work to explore the ‘story’ behind the West Kent falls and hips and fractures position and recommend a series of actions to be implemented. That this work to include:

·  Review of the Board’s previous work and the outcomes identified and achieved

·  Exploration of Right Care Packs and links between local variation and outcomes

·  Assessment of current Health Pathways and review of potential for improving outcomes by considering the scope for reflection on socially determined interventions as part of the care/support offer (wider determinants interventions, self-care; self-management and social prescribing options)

·  Explore opportunities for work with relevant strategic partnership groups, agencies, commissioning bodies and population groups to address issues which analysis demonstrates persistent challenges for West Kent.

2.  To encourage its existing Task & Finish Groups orientate their delivery and action plans towards addressing outcomes where there are concerns for West Kent performance as outlined in sections 3 of the report considered by the Board

3.  That the Chair to write to the lead for Alcohol Services in KCC