Agenda item

To consider the parts of the Quarter 2 2017/18 (July to September 2017) Quarterly Service Report of the Adult Social Care, Health and Housing department relating to health.

The Panel considered the Quarter 2 (July to September 2017) Quarterly Service Report of the Adult Social Care, Health and Housing report relating to health.

The Consultant in Public health made a presentation highlighting recent and current activity:

• The conversations model had been bedded into practice, early data had been gathered and was being analysed to help shape Adult Social Care operational delivery in the years ahead.
• Although "conversations" was being introduced, people who met the eligibility criteria for a service would  continue to receive one.
• The two Community Connectors have made a good start introducing themselves to the community and have received referrals from Learning Disability and Adult Community teams.
• The Out of hours Multi-Agency Adults Safeguarding Hub (MASH) was being set up having regard to the needs of each unitary Authority and buy-in from the Strategic Partnership was now sought to ensure a successful and timely operational delivery.
• Forestcare had been successful in winning two external monitoring contracts.
• Town Centre Community Safety had improved with a 32% reduction in shoplifting and a 27% reduction in criminal damage compared to same quarter last year.
• BFC My Benefits had gone live from mid November 2017.  In the first month 1,392 customers had opened an account and of these, 734 went on to open access to and progress their claim.
• Work has begun on preparation for the Homeless Reduction Act, using new funding to help meet the expected increased demand for services.
• The Council entered into a contract with Places for People to develop the Council owned site the Lodge for people with learning disabilities.
• Self Care Week had been most successful and the biggest ever, comprising 42 events, with 17 student volunteers, 95,000 people reached on social media, 16,000 video views, 12,500 community map visits, and the largest walking group session organised.
• Public Health ran their largest ever mental health event for children and young people which took place at the Madejski Stadium.
• Preparation for a range of new health improvement programmes have been put in place, all of which were partnership projects with residents.
• On-line health improvement programmes with residents continued to extend their reach with a steady increase in the size of the Facebook Community and the number of Portal views each quarter.

Arising from questions and discussion, the Panel noted:

• The reported reduction in social isolation was as measured by the national annual survey carried out.  The range of social and community initiatives run by the Council was clearly having a beneficial effect.
• Continuing low rates of teenage conception were testimony to the ongoing work of Youth Services, Public Health video films, work in schools etc.
• The mental health of children and young people was a priority and focus of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and the ongoing support of the KOOTH online service was a key element of this.
• The first week of January had shown a sharp increase in the number of seasonal flu cases reported, including some hospital admissions.  It was important to continue to seek a high level of coverage of flu vaccinations for priority groups and those over 65.  (Should the risk be pandemic flu, it was noted that there were specific plans in place to deal with it).
• As regards flu immunisation of children, targets had been hit but it was important to maintain this.  For the MMR immunisation programme, Bracknell had the highest return (in Berkshire) of 90% for the second dose but a higher number was desirable.