To receive any apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Nancy Meehan, Pat Harris, Liz Thomas, Alison Hernandez and David Somerfield.

Board Members to recive a brief update on progress of the following:

·         Enabling Children to have the Best Start in Life – Early Help

·         Ageing Well – Living Longer Better

·         Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy - Outcomes

The Board received an update on the following topics discussed at the previous meeting:

·         Ageing Well – Living Longer Better: the Board was advised that a small stakeholder group had been formed, funding for the licence and program had been secured with discussions on governance arrangements to be held.

·         Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy – Outcomes:  Members noted this item had been scheduled for this meeting, however more work was required in respect of understanding the impact of the most recent lockdown.

·         Enabling Children to have the Best Start in Life – Early Help: this item was deferred in the absence of Nancy Meehan.

To note the Director of Public Health Annual Report and discuss the next steps.

The Board considered the Director of Public Health Annual Report and supported the recommendations as set out in the submitted report.  Members were advised that the recommendations would inform the future work program of the Board and outcomes framework.

To consider a report on above.

The Board noted a report on multiple complex needs.  Bruce Bell informed the Board that the Multiple Complex Needs tender was seeking an alternative method for commissioning services for those with complex lives (substance misuse/homelessness/domestic abuse).  A tender for an Alliance to deliver a services has commenced and is currently open. 

Covid-19 had impacted upon the capacity and ability for the market to submit bids within the intended timelines. Two extensions to submission dates had been given following letters requesting further time.  This had been due to the uncertainty around the impact of COVID-19 on services, the current lockdown duration and the recovery process – all of which had inhibited developing bids.

The delay had however presented the opportunity for conducting a separate mental health provision alongside the procurement of the Multiple Complex Needs (MCN) Alliance, with an aspiration for this to integrate with the MCN Alliance.  The intention being to commission and procure an emotional, wellbeing and resilience provision in parallel with the MCN Alliance procurement with a view to integrating into the Alliance at the point for the Alliance forming or a specified point thereafter.

Due to the importance of this project and the wish to enable the submission of a good level of high quality bids, Torbay Council have extended the submission deadline to 31 January 2022.  This would, therefore significantly delay the operationalisation of the Alliance and the new delivery model.

To receive a presentation on the Suicide Prevention Action Plan and an update on the Torbay Mental Health Alliance.

The Board received a presentation (attached to these minutes) on the Torbay Suicide Audit, Suicide Prevention Plan and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Alliance.  The Board noted suicide was a major public health issue: it was the leading cause of death in men under 50 years, young people and new mothers. 

Members were advised that Torbay’s suicide rate had, in general, increased year on year since 2010 and had one of the highest suicide rates amongst local authorities in England.  The Board further noted, that Local Authorities were recommended to coordinate and implement work on suicide prevention under their local public health and health improvement responsibilities.  The main thrust of this was through the development and delivery of a local multi-agency suicide prevention plan.  The Board welcomed the presentation and data contained therein and endorsed the Torbay Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Plan and the multi-agency approach set out within the plan.

Actions:

1)      that the plan, consider the following as potential developmental areas: sporting clubs and bar staff, similar to projects developed with barbers.

2)      that the findings of the Torbay Suicide Audit as well as the Suicide Health and Self-harm Prevention Plan are shared with GPS and included in the local GP training programme.

To consider the report on the Torbay Carers Strategy.

Members noted the submitted report and endorsed the Torbay Carers Strategy 2021-24.  Members were advised that the previous strategy set 106 ambitious targets with all but two having been achieved, the current refresh of the strategy was even more ambitious with 150 targets.  Members were informed that the COVID-19 outbreak had been especially difficult for unpaid carers, who had reported deterioration in their own health and wellbeing as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.  Members also noted that officers anticipated more people identifying as unpaid carers with the inclusion of a question in the Census.

To receive a verbal update on the Health Protection Annual Report.

The Board received a verbal update on the Annual Health Protection Report.  Members were advised that ordinarily the Board would have a written submission however due to delays in collecting data and capacity at Public Health England the report wasn’t quite ready.  The issue being, that once finalised, the time period the report covers would be quite out of date when the Board meets in June.  Therefore the Board’s permission was requested and granted for the Chairwoman to be given delegated authority to note the report on the Board’s behalf.