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

Apologies for absence were received from Pat Harris, Caroline Taylor and Richard Williams.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 10 October 2015.

The Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 15 October 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Doggett declared a non-pecuniary interest as he is a lay member of the Joined Up Medicines Optimisation Group.

The Board congratulated Caroline Dimond on being appointed the Director of Public Health.

To endorse the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Members considered a report that set out the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS).  In compiling the strategy a pragmatic approach was taken with the proposed JHWS reflecting a number of joint plans that were already in existence.

The Board applauded the strategy for its clarity and strategic direction.  Members felt the work streams identified were being implemented by the JoinedUp Board.  The JoinedUp Board needed to be system leaders to ensure the strategy work streams became embedded into the delivery system.

Members were advised the next step would be to develop an assurance framework which would be presented to Health and Wellbeing Board on 24 March 2016.

Resolved:

i)       that the Council be recommended to approve the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy as set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report with the priorities being delivered through three strands:

a.  the Joined-up Health and Social Care Plan;

b.  the Health Torbay framework; and

c.  the Community Safety and Adult and Children’s Safeguarding plans.

ii)      That the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy be reviewed on an annual basis with a view that it may be possible to bring the three strands in (i) (a) to (c) above together at a later stage.

iii)     That performance and governance structure around the above be agreed to ensure the Board fulfils its requirements as outlined above.

iv)     that the Board agrees 3-4 key cross-cutting issues each year for particular consideration where there are significant issues to health and well-being.

v)      that the emphasis for the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy will be on the added value the Health and Wellbeing Board can bring through its focus on determinants and cross cutting issues, reflected in the aim “Building a Healthy community”.

To consider the report on the above.

Members were informed that on 15 October 2015 the Health and Wellbeing Board endorsed the CAMHS Transformation Plans, with the Board raising questions around performance measures.

As an authority the area is an outlier for child and adolescent mental health with the reasons for being an outlier not immediately identifiable.  In order to try and understand the reasons for high referral rates and incidents of self harm tentative discussions have been had with the Dartington Research Unit.

Members noted the report and sought reassurance that the service was addressing need and was not just concerned about the cost and criteria for accessing the service.  Members were advised that the criteria for Tier 4 CAMHS beds were nationally set criteria that the service cannot change.  Nick Roberts explained that admission to Tier 4 beds could be interpreted as failure of the system as it indicates a decline in the mental health of the patient, where as earlier access to services could avoid escalation to Tier 4.  Members noted that early intervention was vital, supporting families even before mental health issues had been identified with mental health workers in schools would all assist in preventing an escalation of a person’s mental health.

To consider a report that provides an update on the progress of Healthy Torbay.

Members were advised that Healthy Torbay was based upon the work of Marmot so the basis for the work of Healthy Torbay was already established.  Healthy Torbay recognises that people don’t always have a choice about adopting a healthy lifestyle, therefore it is important to look at working differently e.g. community allotments marrying up with cookery classes.

The Board was informed that community engagement was key, how do we reach those that need assistance?  How do we build community cohesion and resourcefulness in order to promote healthy lifestyles?  Members referred to the neighbourhood planning forums and whether healthy lifestyles had been considered in the context of neighbourhood plans.  The Board requested Caroline Dimond write to the Neighbourhood Planning Forums asking how the neighbourhood plans will address the issues identified by Healthy Torbay.

To note the above.

The Board accepted the work programme and requested that the 1 December 2016 Seminar include drug addiction as well as alcohol.