Agenda item

The Community Health and Well-Being Plan is to be presented to the Committee.

(The Chairman agreed to alter the advertised agenda and take this item before the CCTV Post Implementation Review.)

The Director for Housing and Communities (Deputy Chief Executive) introduced the Community Health and Well-being Plan. Mr Adhvait Sheth, Planning Manager for Strategy and Planning at the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board was in attendance for this item. The Assistant Director for Customer and Communities was also in attendance for this item.

In introducing the Plan, the Director for Housing and Communities explained that there is a requirement for collaboration between the health and local authorities and in renewing the Health and Well-being Strategy there was an identified need for a plan at the Melton Borough level. This produced an opportunity for the Council to feedback to the Integrated Care Board.

Mr Sheth added that the Plan is for the population of Melton Borough. The Plan is evidence based and outlines five priorities, which are:

• Priority 1 – Support expectant mothers (Breastfeeding initiation and prevalence)
• Priority 2 – Develop and embed a Melton Neighbourhood Mental Health Offer
• Priority 3 – Empower residents to access preventive and self-care approaches including through Digital channels 
• Priority 4 – Prevent falls through supporting the frail and those at risk of hip fractures
• Priority 5 – Integrate the local community support hub model further with health/wellbeing teams.

It was recognised by Members that without an overarching partnership, the aspirations on health would be difficult to achieve.

The challenges and the ripple effect of wider issues on people’s health and well-being were mentioned. Cost-of-living pressures, access to education and quality of environment were provided as exampled. In addition, linked to this is the importance of healthy food choices and the risk that cost-of-living pressures force people to access unhealthier choices, e.g. that foodbanks are a crisis offer and don’t provide fresh food.

The comment was made that residents should be left to access the care they wish to access and not be cajoled into doing so.

Members commented that access to health services, in particular for GPs, mental health services, urgent care and hospital care is unclear and disjointed. There was a sense that local residents have to travel a long way to access health services that they feel could be provided closer to home. It was suggested that a community hub model could be a solution to utilising the services within Melton Borough.

The importance of understanding underlying issues of behaviour such as trauma leading to drug use and unhealthy lifestyle choices was noted.

Concern was raised regarding cross border collaboration and making the plan relevant to those communities who living within the Melton Borough but access health care services in Lincolnshire. In particular, how does cross border integration work in practice with Lincolnshire health services and how can confidence be given to residents that the plan recognises their needs and has an ability to influence cross border health provision. Mr Sheth responded by stating that cross border partnerships need to be strengthened in order for health services on one side of the border to understand the residents’ needs on the other side of the border. Mr Sheth added that understanding the residents’ of peripheral areas and their needs is crucial.

Comment were raised that there is low public confidence in health care services due to issues residents have in not being able to get an appointment or having to wait a long time for a GP appointment. The Plan won’t be viewed positively unless there is an assurance or confidence that GP access and provision would improve. Mr Sheth responded by noting the low public confidence but added that transformation is key in reshaping the services and improving their ability to delivery adequate care.

A Member commented whether there could be an opportunity for emergency services could be combined in order to provide a more holistic service.

The Chairman thanked Mr Sheth for his attendance at the meeting.

(At 8:05pm, the meeting was adjourned. At this point Councillor Child left the meeting and did not return.)