The Director of Strategic Partnerships, NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Groups will present a report (Document “E”) which provides an update on the community partnerships now established across Bradford District. 

The report will share information regarding a number of areas highlighting key work activity, challenges and solutions.

Recommended -

The Committee is invited to accept the update.

(Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Clare Smart – 01274 237711)

The Director of Strategic Partnerships, NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Groups presented a report (Document “E”) which provided an update on the community partnerships established across Bradford District. The report shared information regarding a number of areas highlighting key work activity, challenges and solutions.

A detailed presentation in respect of causes of death in the District including behaviours, diet and lack of exercise was given as well as information in respect of risk factors from wider determinants such as social deprivation and the effect that this had on life expectancy in socially deprived areas compared to more affluent parts of the District. Members were advised that community partnerships had been in place for some time now and were starting to develop and mature. Their goal was to support people across the District who needed additional help in respect of health and well-being, housing, employment and socialisation. The achievements of the partnerships to date were explained as was the principle of building on provision that already existed in communities.

The ward officer explained his involvement in one of the 14 District partnerships, stressing how positive and exciting it was to be involved in such a project which aimed to tackle social inequality in BD3 and to provide a single platform for various organisations. He reported on a recent project that had been successful to obtain funding for the Thornbury Centre to host activities to encourage people to do more about dealing with health care issues. 

A Councillor expressed concerns that the issues being looked at by Community partnerships had been in existence for many years but nothing was happening to improve matters and stressed that those most in need should be targeted better.

The Chair also expressed some concern that the partnerships didn’t represent existing natural community hubs. She was also concerned about the level of community involvement in place and about reaching people who rarely visited their doctor. She queried whether there was a risk of inequality being inadvertently caused depending on where the partnerships were based. In response, she was advised that her comments would be relayed to the partnerships and it was confirmed that patient satisfaction levels in respect of being able to access a GP in Bradford were low.

Members were also advised that, although there had been discussion about using wards as a basis for the partnerships, GPs had to choose which community partnership area to join and that boundaries were determined by practice areas not wards. It was confirmed that all GP practices were involved with a partnership.

A Member also enquired whether there was any potential for overlap and inefficiency between the partnerships and the work of the Clinical Commissioning Group and was advised that the CCG had a statutory function and the partnerships would aim to contribute towards the delivery of that function.

Members queried how the work of the partnerships was being promoted to the community and how well it was used. In response, they were advised that some of the partnerships were very mature in their journey as they were already very well established while others were still very much in the early stages. It was also clarified that input and participation from elected members would be welcomed.

The Director undertook to clarify for Members how the work of the partnerships linked with that of Early Help and Prevent. She also undertook to circulate the profiles for both adults and children to Members of the Area Committee.

A Member raised various issues that he considered the partnerships should take into account, including encouraging local undergraduates to become involved and be ambassadors for the District; working to address obesity among young people; mental health issues among the young and examining the ability to get an appointment at a GP surgery in a reasonable timeframe.

Resolved-

(1)  That the update contained in “Document E” be accepted and that it be requested that a full list of Community Partnerships be circulated to the Committee.

(2)  That the Committee’s disappointment at the lack of involvement of local councillors so far be noted as well as the willingness of those councillors to become involved now.

(3)  That the Committee’s concern at the potential for additional inequalities as a result of differences in development across Community Partnerships be noted.

Action:           Director of Strategic Partnerships, NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group/Strategic Director Place

(Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee)