Agenda item

(To receive a report from Simon Evans (Health Scrutiny Officer) which provides the proposed draft response, produced by the established working group, for the Committee's approval as part of the stakeholder engagement phase)

A report by Simon Evans (Health Scrutiny Officer) was considered which provided the proposed draft response, produced by the established working group, for the approval of the Committee as part of the stakeholder engagement phase.

Members were given an overview of the report, following the meeting of the Task & Finish Group on 11 November 2015.  It was reported that some factual amendments were required.  This information would be circulated to the Committee with the relevant amendments included as track changes to enable the changes to be clearly seen.  These amendments have been noted below:-

1.    Introduction – second sentence to read – The Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire understands that there will be further opportunities for the Committee to contribute, for example during a further engagement phase on the interpretation of the JSNA and suggestions for priorities for inclusion in the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy in 2017.

2.    Introduction – third sentence to read – The Committee also acknowledges that the JSNA is a key evidence base in the development of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

3.    Involvement in Stakeholders – third sentence to read – The Committee suggests that to further emphasise this importance, the CCG Council, which comprises the senior management representatives of each of the four CCGs, should be specifically engaged in the continued maintenance and interpretation of the JSNA.

4.    Involvement in Stakeholders – second paragraph to read – The Health Scrutiny Committee believes that the views of the voluntary sector must be taken in to account, as these organisations see services from a different viewpoint.  They may also have data that could inform the JSNA.

5.    Data and Specific Topics – first bullet point to read – neurological conditions, where there is a need for adequate evidence to establish whether services in Lincolnshire meet need and to ensure that commissioning decisions fully take account of the needs of people with such conditions.

6.    Data and Specific Topics – second bullet point to read – cancer, where there should be more evidence to support an emphasis on prevention and the appropriate funding for such services as the early prevention and detection of cancer.

7.    Data and Specific Topics – third bullet point to read – childhood obesity, where more evidence is required on how existing services can impact on the number of overweight or obese children, as this is a topic where the Health Scrutiny Committee would like to see further action.

8.    Data and Specific Topics – fourth bullet point to read – rural isolation, where contextual intelligence could be better integrated into the JSNA and used to support improved implementation of services.

9.    Data and Specific Topics – final paragraph – The Committee also supports the intention for the restructuring of the JSNA to provide a more flexible approach to the existing 35 topic commentaries.

Members were given the opportunity to ask questions during which the following points were noted:-

At this point of the meeting, the Chairman declared an interest due to her participation in a research project with Durham University regarding public health budgets.

·       Within the draft response, it was suggested that the Committee believed that public health funding be ring-fenced for public health activities as this often supported prevention.  Following discussion regarding the possibility of absorbing that budget in to other County Council areas, the Chairman requested a vote to formally document the decision of the Committee.  It was agreed that the comment to continue to ring-fence this budget remain in the final response;

·       It was suggested that the third bullet point under Data and Specific Topics include the word "urgent" prior to "further action".  The Committee voted on this amendment which was unsuccessful;

RESOLVED

1.    That the report and comments be noted;

2.    That the comment under Resources that "The Health Scrutiny Committee believes that the ring-fence should remain" be included within the final response; and

3.    That the final response, with the reported factual amendments, be approved and submitted on behalf of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire.