Agenda item

Report of Liz Gaulton, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing

The Board considered a report of Liz Gaulton, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing which provided an update on the outcomes of Joint Place Forum and Health and Care Partnership meeting held on 17 June, 2021.

The report indicated that the over 60 partners attended the virtual meeting which was the fourth joint meeting held during the Covid-19 pandemic. The meeting continues the focus on addressing health inequalities and exploring opportunities for collaborative action in response to the pandemic.

The report set out the meeting items and detailed the key themes emerging from the meeting which included:

·  The local outbreak management response has highlighted the importance of data in driving targeted action, and the strength of local, place-based approaches. The pandemic has created new partnerships with local communities which must be sustained if we are to tackle inequalities and address the impact of the pandemic from a population health perspective.

·  There are real opportunities to tackle inequalities in health outcomes through the Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 programme, by increasing cultural participation in all neighbourhoods. Partners have a collective responsibility to support communities to engage with the programme, drawing on learning from the COVID response to support this.

·  Anchor organisations could have particular impact in addressing inequalities in employment and skills by connecting with education institutions and providing employment and training routes for those who leave school with no qualifications, and opportunities for those with lived experience.

·  The business community has a key role to play in tackling inequalities as the economy recovers and the Call to Action provides an important mechanism for businesses to understand their role and sign up to practical actions to help make a difference.

·  The transition to a statutory Integrated Care System should help align national and local priorities for population health and build on existing partnerships. It is important that discussions about governance do not distract from the core business of restoration, improving health outcomes and tackling inequalities

The report also set out the key actions and next steps that were proposed as follows:

·  Reflect and build on learning to date from COVID-19 outbreak management and, as partners, seek opportunities to support the next phase of COVID defence

·  Commit as organisations to support and promote the Wellbeing for Life campaign and in particular to progress Thrive at Work commitments

·  Harness opportunities arising from the UK City of Culture 2021 to work together to address inequalities and improve health outcomes

·  Demonstrate leadership in championing the Call To Action to address health inequalities and support the economic recovery

·  Work together to ensure that the Health and Care Partnership places action to tackle inequalities and improve population health at the centre of recovery plans.

Members were reminded that the next Place Forum meeting was scheduled to take place on 17 November, 2021 and that this would be a joint meeting with the Health and Care Partnership Board.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report and the next steps and actions resulting from the Joint Place Forum and Health and Care Partnership Board meeting held on 17 June 2021 be noted.