Agenda item

The Board received a presentation from Sarah Dugan regarding the STP (Formerly the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, now the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership).

a)     Frances Howie reported that Board Members felt the STP was broadly a good fit with the HWB Strategy although further work was needed in certain areas. To enable better understanding of it by the public and to support Councillors in explaining the proposals to their residents the Board would like to see a short summary of the Plan over a couple of pages and for jargon to be removed. e.g  What is the plan/what difference does it make/and what does it mean for me and  for Worcestershire residents in the next 12 months? Instead of using the phrase 'prevention and self-care' say 'independence', which may be easier to understand.

b)     Engagement had been good but continuing efforts were needed.  The Board suggested including examples of where services were challenged currently and details of the implementation plan – what is open/closing and how services are being changed.  Refer to the frailty pathway and the problems of sustainable primary Care and the action being taken; refer specifically to the accountable care system and broad options for Worcestershire and explain where and why the current footprint isn't large enough to sustain some specific clinical services and what the future options for these might be.

c)     It was accepted that there would be a knock on effect for other organisations. A lot of the organisations were already aware of the preparation of the STP and some receive regular briefings.  However although they may be informed they may not be necessarily involved at the moment.  However, with the proposed shift of care closer to home the Board identified potential impacts for adult social care, housing authorities and providers, fire and rescue, police, transport and the voluntary and community sector. The Board discussed the role of the Voluntary and Community sector and the possible impact on it of proposals, particularly for those organisations who provide paid-for services.  Whilst the Board considered there is an element of risk in moving care closer to home, it considered that the risk could be mitigated by the full involvement of the sector in the system change.  It noted that there had been significant engagement activity but that there was more to do as strategic plans develop into implementation plans. In particular, the Board would want to see its commitment to co-production put into practice during this next period.  It noted that Carol Cumino had reported that a very positive meeting with the VCS had already taken place, to try to understand how to operationalise this commitment.

It was agreed that the plan would be sent around Board members for any final comments and then brought back to the HWB at the next meeting on 11 July.

RESOLVED that the Health and Well-being Board: