To receive updates from Partnership Boards:
· Place-Based Partnership
(Verbal Update)
· Health Improvement Board
(Verbal Update)
· Children’s Trust Board
(Verbal Update)
Minutes:
Place-Based Partnership:
Chris Wright (Associate Director of Oxfordshire Place, Thames Valley ICB) provided the Place-Based Partnership update. Members were advised that a significant amount of work continued to be focused on the implications of NHS organisational changes following the establishment of the new Thames Valley Integrated Care Board arrangements. Partners were continuing to work together to ensure that Oxfordshire maintained a strong focus on place-based delivery, population health improvement and local partnership working within the context of the wider Thames Valley footprint. Considerable attention was being given to ensuring that Oxfordshire’s established partnership arrangements remained effective as governance arrangements evolved. Work was underway to clarify responsibilities between system, place and neighbourhood levels and to ensure that local priorities continued to inform strategic decision-making.
Members were informed that maintaining strong local leadership and local accountability would remain important as organisational arrangements developed. The update highlighted the continuing importance of partnership working between the NHS, local government, voluntary and community sector organisations and wider system partners in delivering improved outcomes for residents.
Health Improvement Board:
District Cllr Georgina Heritage presented the Health Improvement Board (HIB) update. Members were informed that the HIB had continued to oversee a range of workstreams relating to prevention and population health improvement. Particular emphasis had been placed upon tackling health inequalities, promoting healthier lifestyles and strengthening preventative approaches across the county.
The Board heard that recent discussions within the Health Improvement Board had included consideration of gambling-related harms and opportunities to strengthen awareness and preventative interventions. Gambling harm was increasingly being recognised as a public health issue, given its potential impact on mental health, financial wellbeing and family circumstances. The Health Improvement Board had therefore considered how partners could work collectively to improve awareness and ensure that appropriate support pathways were available to individuals experiencing gambling-related difficulties.
Children’s Trust Board:
Cllr Sean Gaul presented the Children’s Trust Board update. Members were advised that the Children’s Trust Board had continued to oversee implementation of a number of strategic priorities relating to children, young people and families. The update highlighted continuing work to improve outcomes for children across Oxfordshire, with particular emphasis on reducing inequalities and supporting children to have the best possible start in life.
Significant work was underway in relation to the Best Start in Life agenda. This included activity focused on improving early years outcomes, school readiness, family support and reducing disparities experienced by children from disadvantaged backgrounds. One area of continuing concern related to differences in school readiness outcomes between children eligible for free school meals and their peers, and work continued across partnership organisations to narrow these gaps and improve outcomes.
The Children’s Trust Board continued to work closely with education providers, health services, local authority services and voluntary sector partners to strengthen integrated support for children and families. It was noted that many of the issues being considered by the Children’s Trust Board aligned closely with the Health and Wellbeing Board’s strategic priorities, particularly those relating to prevention, reducing inequalities and supporting healthy life chances from the earliest stages of life. Members welcomed the ongoing emphasis being placed upon early intervention and recognised the long-term benefits that could be achieved through improving outcomes during childhood.
The Board RESOLVED to:
1.
NOTE the Partnership Board Updates.