Agenda item

The draft Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2017 is available on the Council’s website at the following link:

http://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=559&MId=6308&Ver=4

Report CSD18036

The Board received a presentation from Helen Buttivant, Consultant in Public Health on the draft Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2017.

The Local Authority and NHS Primary Care Trusts had a statutory requirement to produce a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment which aimed to develop an understanding of the current and future health and wellbeing needs of the population to support the setting strategic priorities in the short and longer term and to inform local commissioning across health and social care.  The Bromley Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2017 explored factors affecting health and wellbeing of the Bromley population which had identified a number of key issues including the increasing population as well as specific issues around infant mortality, the prevalence of diagnosed depression and concerns around the rates of self-harm, suicide and drug misuse across the Borough.  It was proposed that a comprehensive evaluation of the Bromley Joint Strategic Needs Assessment be undertaken to review the structure, process and outcomes of the report to ensure it was fit for purpose and capable of answering the complex commissioning questions of the future.  The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy would also be reviewed concurrently to this evaluation to inform the publication of a refreshed strategy later in the year.

In considering the report, the Chairman identified the common links between some of the key concerns highlighted in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment including mental health issues, drug misuse and alcoholism.  Another Member noted the issue of so-called “legal” highs which were a significant concern, particularly in relation to the 15-24 year age group which had an estimated prevalence of drug misuse that was higher than the London and National averages.  The Member underlined the importance of ensuring families were aware of the dangers of drug misuse, and additional information relating to legal highs would be provided to Members of the Health and Wellbeing Board following the meeting.

In discussion, Members expressed concern around the increase in infant mortality rates during the past two years and requested that further analysis be undertaken to explore this issue in more detail, with the outcome of this analysis to be reported to the next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board on 29th March 2018.

The Director: Public Health announced that the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Steering Group would be holding a workshop on 16^th April 2018 to consider the proposed review of the Bromley Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and that all Board Members were invited to attend.  A Member suggested that mental wellbeing be included as a key theme for the future Joint Strategic Needs Assessment model.

The Chairman led Members in thanking Helen Buttivant for her presentation which is attached at Appendix A.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The draft Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2017 be approved.

2)  An evaluation of the Bromley Joint Strategic Needs Assessment be undertaken to review the structure, process and outcomes of the provision of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment; and,

3)  A review of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy be undertaken to inform the development of a new strategy later in 2018.