Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services which presents a briefing paper by the Leeds Health and Care Partnership on the current issues and actions linked to the Leeds health and care system resilience and winter planning process.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which presented a briefing paper by the Leeds Health and Care Partnership on the current issues and actions linked to the Leeds health and care system resilience and winter planning process.

The following were in attendance:

·  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

·  Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Adults Social Care, Public Health and Active Lifestyles

·  Caroline Baria, Interim Director of Adults and Health

·  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health

·  Dawn Baily, Chief Officer Public Health (Health Protection)

·  Sam Prince, Interim Chief Executive, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

·  Kelly Cohen, Clinical Director, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

·  Helen Lewis, Director of Pathway Integration, Leeds Health and Care Partnership

·  Jenny Cooke, Director of Population Health Planning, Leeds Health and Care Partnership

The Chair invited the Executive Member for Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships to provide some introductory comments, which was followed by a PowerPoint presentation by the Director of Pathway Integration that provided an overview of:

Ø  Key service changes since 2022/23;

Ø  Winter flu/covid vaccination programme;

Ø  Public Health commissioned services and overarching aims for 2023/24;

Ø  Additional capacity to support the health system over winter;

Ø  An overview of key risks.

Overall, the Board was advised that the Leeds System is entering this winter in a stronger position than for 2022/23.

The following areas were discussed during the Board’s consideration of the briefing paper:

·  Winter vaccination for healthcare staff – the Executive Member particularly referenced the change in national policy this year in terms of non-frontline workers in NHS settings not being offered a covid vaccination.  It was noted that the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board had raised concerns regarding this policy change and gave a commitment to still vaccinate all healthcare staff in the city.

·  New covid variant – the Board was advised by the Chief Officer Public Health (Health Protection) that there was no existing evidence showing the new covid variant to be causing any significant impacts.

·  Working as an integrated care system to help mitigate key risks – the Board was advised that while there remain significant pressures particularly around A&E attendance, flow through mental health services and the impact of industrial action, the Leeds Health and Care Partnership is working hard to plan for the coming period to help mitigate those risks.

·  Timely Discharge from hospital – the Board was advised that there has been a notable change in the number of people being discharged with support at home over the last 6 months, largely driven by an increase in homecare starts from hospital.  It was also noted that in terms of having assurance that patients are not being discharged from hospital prematurely or without adequate community support, there is monthly monitoring of the readmission rates to Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.  Where any concerns are raised, these will be investigated further.

·  Positive impact of the HomeFirst Programme – it was noted that the HomeFirst Programme is working to further increase capacity of receiving services over winter.  This was discussed in more detail as a dedicated item on the Board’s meeting agenda.

The Chair thanked everyone for their contribution to the Board’s discussion.

RESOLVED - That the report, along with Members comments, be noted.