Agenda item

(To receive a report from Kirsteen Redmile (Lead Change Manager – Integrated Care STP System Delivery Unit) on behalf of the Lincolnshire CCG's and the STP on implementing a social prescribing model in Lincolnshire which is being part funded by the Health and Wellbeing Grant Fund)

Consideration was given to a report presented by Kirsteen Redmile, Lead Change Manager STP System Delivery Unit, and David Fannin, Chief Executive Lincolnshire CVS, which updated the Health and Wellbeing Board on the progress being made in implementing a social prescribing model into Lincolnshire which had been part funded by the Health and Wellbeing Grant Fund.

It was reported that Social prescribing project was being run as a 'proof of concept' and was an integral part of the Neighbourhood Working programme.  It was also closely linked to the NHS England Personalised Care Demonstrator sites of which Lincolnshire was one of three across the Country.

The report set out how the project had been expanded from its initial conception in Gainsborough to rolling out across the County from September 2018, the progress to date, some of the early findings and the actions that were needed to be able to demonstrate to the system the value and importance of social prescribing to the health and care community.

The Board was guided through the report and provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         In each of the CCG areas, delivery was carried out face to face.

·         It was noted that most of the referrals came from GP's, but not exclusively.

·         People who were referred into this programme would be worked with for around 12 weeks.

·         In relation to one of the case studies set out in the report, it was commented that it had been interesting to note that it had been discovered that the partner of the person referred was in need of additional support.

·         It was suggested that there was a need to find a way to measure how much money had been saved through this project.

·         There was a need for a joint strategic asset model.  There was a need to understand what assets existed so that a start could be made to bring them together at a Lincolnshire level.

·         It was noted that there was not a need for every area to be consistently on the same level.  If there was something that worked well in one area it should be allowed to continue.  It would be important to find those things which were working well.

·         It was reported that it was quickly identified in Gainsborough that there was little support for low level prevention of diabetes.  Since then, a diabetes café had been established which was well attended.

·         It was about identifying people's needs and matching them to the help that was available.  It was suggested that this would become a way of working and 'social prescribing' as a term would disappear.

·         It was noted that some districts were unsure of the referral route.  Members were advised that this would be picked up outside of the meeting.

·         It was queried who set the strategic direction, and it was noted that this was an opportunity to look at how the Health and Wellbeing Board could contribute to neighbourhood working and pull everything together.

·         It was noted that promotional material was being worked on which would provide people with very clear contact points.

·         In relation to the vacant posts highlighted on page 61 of the agenda pack, it was confirmed that these posts had been recruited to.

RESOLVED

1.    That the content of the report be noted.

2.    That the current progress and key actions be noted.

3.    That the Health and Wellbeing Board support the development of a strategic approach for social prescribing in Lincolnshire.