To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2020 were submitted for approval.

Decision

To agree as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 8 July 2020.

The enclosed report from the Director of Public Health presents a copy of the 10 Point COVID-19 Action Plan for the city. This will be supported by a presentation to be given in the meeting.

At their meeting of 8 July 2020 the Board had given consideration to the report of the Director of Population Health that presented the detailed COVID-19 Manchester Prevention and Response Plan. At the beginning of this month the Director of Public Health, working with key partners, produced the attached action plan for the month of August.

In addition to the report the Director of Public Health delivered a presentation that included the latest available comparative data and intelligence. He stated that the positive cases of COVID-19 identified were predominantly amongst younger people and these had not resulted in a corresponding increase in hospital admissions, however this situation would continue to be monitored.

In response to questions from the Board regarding measures to protect children returning to education the Director of Public Health stated that consideration was being given to keeping school ‘bubbles’ as small as practically possible to minimise the impact if pupils were required to self-isolate, adding that he recognised the challenge this represented to larger schools. He stated that positive existing relationships already existed between Public Health and local schools and contingency planning was underway to minimise the potential disruption to a young person’s education.     

The Director of Public Health stated that work was progressing across Greater Manchester, in line with all relevant medical and public health guidance to ensure a consistent approach was adopted and capacity was available to support schools in the event of an outbreak, including mobilising mobile testing units and home testing if required.

The Chair acknowledged the concerns regarding the return to schools and advised that it was important to build confidence amongst parents and support them with appropriate communications that would be delivered around this message, noting that the wider benefits to children attending school was recognised.

A member of the Board suggested that GPs should be able to refer people for COVID-19 testing, similar to the way they would refer a patient for other routine testing, especially noting that the winter flu season was approaching. The Director of Public Health acknowledged these comments and informed the Board that discussions around this issue were ongoing.

The Chair welcomed the 10 Point COVID-19 Action Plan, noting that it presented a framework to enable the monitoring of progress and that this item would continue to be reviewed as a regular agenda item for the Board. She further thanked all those who had contributed to the production of the Plan.

Decision

The Board note the report.

The report of the Director of Policy, Performance and Reform is enclosed.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Policy, Performance and Reform that provided an overview of the Our Manchester Strategy reset and invited the Board to comment on how health and wellbeing priorities should be reflected within the Strategy reset.

The Chair stated that it was important when considering the reset to have regard for the individual rather than systems and process, adding that it was essential that the appropriate language was used when engaging with residents on this issue. She further commented that it was important to recognise that the Our Manchester Strategy was not a Council policy but rather a strategy that belonged to the whole of the city and this work would complement the refresh of the Locality Plan.

Members of the Board discussed the need to recognise and address the wider determinants of health, including employment opportunities; environmental factors and the use of decision making to influence change, such as planning powers to promote greener environments and air quality. In addition, it was essential to acknowledge and address inequalities in all forms, with an emphasis on prevention work and the commissioning of services having an emphasis on ‘whole life story’ work to deliver improved health outcomes for residents.

Members acknowledged the scale of this challenge, noting that a redesign of services would be required with due consideration given to the allocation of resources.

The Director of Policy, Performance and Reform acknowledged the comments raised and stated that an update report would be submitted for consideration by the Board at an appropriate time. He further commented that if Partners would welcome further discussions and engagement on this subject sessions could be organised if they contacted him directly. 

Decision

The Board note the report.