Agenda item

Purpose: To give a follow up report on the work which is now complete.

Alison Love introduced her report to Members of the Health and Wellbeing Board, which aimed to give a follow up report on the Joint Health and Social Care Self Assessment Framework (JH&SCAF), which was now complete.

The JH&SCAF was a required annual report on local health and social care services for people with learning disabilities. In 2013 the responsibility for requesting and collating this information transferred from the Government Office for South East England to Public Health England. The requirement to collect and monitor this information was part of the Valuing People Now objectives.

There was much evidence to indicate that people with learning disabilities suffered from poorer health than the general population.

The local Joint Health and Social Care Self Assessment approach was developed in conjunction with colleagues from the Commissioning Support Unit of the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Berkshire Healthcare Trust.

The format of the report had changed considerably from previous years and some colleagues struggled to obtain the information required. Therefore there were significant gaps and inaccuracies in the health information. The local Community Team, for People with Learning Disabilities had some information that gave evidence of better local health services than was portrayed in the report however, the report format clearly stipulated how and where the evidence should be gathered. 

Dr Barbara Barrie stated that there should be information from areas such as Mortimer and Theale, where the CCGs overlapped. Alison Love reported that all GP practices were approached and then the relevant information sent back to each Local Authority.

Adrian Barker stated that he had read the report however, struggled to see how the Board itself could assist. He also acknowledged that the numbers of those with learning disabilities did seem very low and queried what the definition was for someone with a learning disability. Alison Love reported that the definition was those people who had an IQ less than 70 however, those with milder forms of a learning disability were also welcomed to have a health check.

Rachael Wardell reported that much of the Board’s contribution would be around the ground work. It was incomplete baseline information and it was being flagged that further work was required.

Adrian Barker questioned what work needed to be done to get to where they needed to be. Alison Love confirmed that the JH&SCAF formed part of the work carried out by the Joint Commissioning Group for the West of Berkshire. Locally there was contact with GPs, so health check information was being requested. Other screening information from the NHS was also required. Under reporting had taken place across the board and not just in Newbury. There would be a push for better information gathering next year.

Alison Love reported that there was a dedicated Learning Disability Nurse and she was particularly good at helping to access the right services.

Councillor Franks questioned how people requiring learning disability support were flagged to GPs, particularly if joining a new practice. Dr Barbara Barrie reported that someone with a learning disability need would be coded and placed on the Learning Disability Register. This information should be transferred electronically from their previous surgery.

Those with a learning disability had to be offered a health check once per year and they had to be sent a letter inviting them to the health check at least three times. Individual practices would be able to provide information on exactly how many health checks had taken place. There was an issue around patients not taking up the offer of a health check and this issue required further attention.

Rachael Wardell asked if a health check could be carried out if a patient came into the surgery for a separate issue. Dr Barbara Barrie stated that an alert would be raised if they were overdue a health check however, regular appointments were usually only ten minute slots and would not allow time for a health check. Once alerted, the practice could take steps to set up a separate appointment for a health check.

Phil McNamara explained to Alison Love that there were certain aspects which were not commissioned by the CCG and therefore it would be helpful for a conversation between them to take place outside of the meeting.

Councillor Franks noted that over 100 of those recorded with a learning disability lived in supported accommodation. He felt that there was possibly an opportunity to work with Public Health to take health checks out to people. It was also noted that there were 40 people with learning disabilities living without any support. Alison Love confirmed that these were people known to Adult Social Care as having a recognised form of learning disability however, were able to live in their own tenancy without the need for support.

Councillor Franks asked what support mechanisms were in place to help people with learning disabilities move from voluntary work to paid employment. Alison Love confirmed that there was very little support in West Berkshire for this transition. Steps were being taken to address this with the voluntary sector. Councillor Franks suggested that Alison Love contact Janet Duffield (Economic Development Officer), as she might be able to assist.

Concern was raised that dental health was not included within the statistics gathered. Louise Watson (NHS England – Area Team) confirmed that this could be looked into and that as well and the CCG, NHS England could be approached when trying to gather information.

RESOLVED that dental health be included within the annual report.