Agenda item

The Director of Strategy and Partnerships for Worcestershire Health and Care Trust and Director of Public Health for Worcestershire County Council provided an update in respect of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) and provided an overview of the work of the STP work streams.

It was reported that the Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) was signed off in 2016.  The STP Programme Board had agreed on its top priorities which needed to be addressed to meet the objectives of Health and Well-being; Care and Quality and Finance and Efficiency.

The following points were then highlighted:

·                There was a complex set of arrangements for the delivery plan in place;

·                There had been a lot of public engagement work undertaken. 

·                It was recognised that the main issues were, transport links, health, and the availability of beds in hospital.

·                The approach to prevention, self-care and promoting independence.

·                Developing out of hospital care.

·                Establishing clinically and financially sustainable services.

·                Social Prescribing Schemes were now developing in both Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Worcestershire was covering the majority of practices in the County through six pilot programmes.

·                Lifestyle Behaviour Change Programmes – The Healthy Lifestyle Trainer Service remained in place in Herefordshire and was delivering support, focused on priority neighbourhoods.  In Worcestershire the Living Well Service continued to deliver support.

·                Frontline staff were provided with training to ensure that appropriate advice was given to patients.

·                Progress was being made in respect of digital inclusion.

·                Neighbourhood Teams were integrated multidisciplinary teams of physical and mental health care professionals for adults including the over 65s, requiring community services. They worked closely with GPs, primary care services, social care services and the third sector to provide joined-up responsive, expert care and treatment.

Following the presentation Members discussed a number of points in detail:

·                Maternity Services were using a system whereby all public health information and data was recorded, in terms of the number of cesareans, pre-births etc.

·                There was support provided for patients with eating disorders. 

·                The Local Neighbourhood Team could be contacted for any information required.

·                Members raised concerns that there had been issues of accessing services at the right time.

In response to Members asking about the challenges faced, it was stated that one of the biggest challenges was around resources and that there was a national shortage of specialists available throughout the workforce. 

The Committee was informed that moving forward those working on the STP were keen to engage with ward Councillors in order to work with them on meeting the needs of local residents.  However, there was some uncertainty about how those working on the STP could engage with Councillors.  The Chief Executive stated that he attended the Alliance Board for health services on behalf of the Council and that at the next meeting of the Board he would seek advice in relation to how Members could be engaged in the process.

Members that the Committee should continue to receive an update on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire STP as it was important to them to understand the ongoing work that was being delivered. 

RESOLVED that

1)        the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) report be noted; and

2)        a further update on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP)  be provided to the Committee at a later date as required.