Agenda item

Matt Fung gave an update on the data and insights being collected, further to the Joint Strategic Needs report to the Board in November 2021. The data collected up to this point had been largely quantitative which gave an overview at population level, however moving forward more qualitative data was being collected which could give an insight about what people experienced and what was important to them. Ethnographic data was being collected from focus groups and consultations.

It was hoped that both qualitative and quantitative, as well as community information, would be used going forward, to change the way services were commissioned by identifying the needs in the population and then to create action plans for health improvement.

It was suggested that a Data for Action working group be set up so that when data sets were completed, stakeholders could be invited to share ways of using the data to drive change, within the relevant service or geographical area.

Comments made by the Board included:

·       There was support for comprehensive data being available to inform decision making but there was frustration that the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) continued to provide similar key messages, for example around health inequalities, but levelling up, such as with staffing resource, did not take place. It was hoped that in future the Integrated Care System could use the data to address health disparities.

·       In response it was noted that strategic approaches had been tried in the past but had not resulted in tangible results on the ground. There was now a challenge to providers and District Collaboratives to change things from the bottom up, with changes needing to be locally owned

·       The District Collaboratives needed support so that people could be enabled to help themselves. Place shaping district work was important

·       It was pointed out that community intelligence needed to be used carefully to ensure that those with the loudest voices were not heard above others and it was agreed that quantitative information needed to be considered in tandem with, and supported by, qualitative data

·       It was acknowledged that the issue of distribution of resources was an important strategic question which the Integrated Care Board and NHS England needed to consider. New resources could be distributed based on need, rather than fairness, but it would be difficult to decide if existing resources should be re-distributed

·       It was queried how the data could be made more accessible, as there sometimes appeared to be so much data that it was difficult for front line staff to know what to do with it. It was acknowledged that this was an area which needed more consideration, but it was hoped that the Data for Action Group would help on how to use the data.

RESOLVED that the Health and Well-being Board (HWB):

a)     Agreed to set up a time limited “Data for Action” working group reporting to the HWB, the purpose of which will be to progress data for action and embed community insight and intelligence into system wide decision making processes; and

b)    Noted progress to date relating to the:

·       JSNA work programme and top line indicators;

·       Worcestershire Insights Hub;

·       Statutory Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment; and

·       Community intelligence qualitative research.