Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Place Lead, Oldham which provided an update on the progress in relation to the implementation of the Health & Care Bill.

The Committee were advised that across the health and care system in England, the NHS, Local Authorities and Voluntary Organisations had made extraordinary efforts to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and delivered the vaccination programme whilst continuing to provide essential services. It was noted that services still faced major operational challenges such as tackling backlogs, meeting deferred demand, new care needs, changing public expectations; tackling longstanding health inequalities; enabling respite and recovery for those who had been at the frontline of the response and re-adjusting to a post-pandemic financial regime.

Members were informed that, as services continued to respond, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) would play a critical role in aligning action between partners to achieve their shared purpose to improve outcomes and tackle inequalities, to enhance productivity and make best use of resources and to

strengthen local communities. The partnerships existed to achieve four aims which were as followed:

·         improve outcomes in population health and healthcare

·         tackle inequalities in outcomes, experience and access

·         enhance productivity and value for money

·         help the NHS support broader social and economic development.

It was noted that a target date of 1 July 2022 was agreed for new statutory arrangements to take effect and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to be legally and operationally established. That replaced the previously stated target date of 1 April 2022. It was agreed to provide some extra flexibility for systems preparing for the new statutory arrangements and managing the immediate priorities in the pandemic response, while maintaining our momentum towards more effective system working.

Throughout the pandemic, feedback given stated that collaboration allowed faster decisions and better outcomes, co-operation created resilience and teamwork across organisations, sectors and professions enabled the services to manage the pressures faced by the NHS and Partners. As focus was reset on the ambitions set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, it was imperative that the commitment be maintained to collaborative action, along with the agility and pace in decision-making that had characterised the response to the pandemic.

Members asked for and received clarification on the following:

·         Integration was welcomed but how do residents see and understand the change. It was noted that all Leaders had recently met for a conversation on how different services will be going forward. there was a need for modern systems and preventative services.

·         How would the four aims be delivered. Members were informed that there was a need to be realistic as the NHS would not be receiving more funding. Oldham had done well to keep GP Levels the same as pre-Covid as 90% of health demand came through GP’s despite only receiving 12% of the budget. Bringing community pharmacies back would also assist in the demand and aims.

·         Vaccination roll out and boosters. It was noted that blood services were now at pharmacies with those and GPs happy to continue to assist with the vaccination roll out.

·         Capacity of pharmacies. Members were advised that there were more pharmacies within Oldham compared the GP services.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The update on the Health and are Bill be noted.

2.    A meeting with Officers be arranged outside of the Committee to look at the work programme.