Agenda item

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care will be circulated as soon as possible. This will provide an update on the Public Health contracts that were transferred from the NHS to LBE with effect from 1 April 2013. (Report No.8, agenda part two also refers) (Key decision – reference number 3908)

(Report No.5)

(8.25-8.30pm)

Councillor Rohini Simbodyal (Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport, Youth and Public Health) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.5) providing an update on the Public Health contracts that were transferred from the NHS to the London Borough of Enfield (LBE) with effect from 1 April 2013.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.8 also referred as detailed in Minute No.18 below;

2.               The detail of the contracts as set out in the report including the value of the contracts and the services to be provided. The majority of contracts were for a one year period. Councillor Simbodyal outlined the intention to develop meaningful key performance indicators to ensure that outcomes were measured and local needs met. The health inequalities within Enfield were recognised and efforts were being made to address these as effectively as possible. For example, smoking cessation and health checks. Efficiency savings were being made where possible and the existing good work was being built upon.

3.               Particular attention was drawn to the improvements in the health rating of the Edmonton Green area which as now rated at the national average. The level of health inequalities had been reduced successfully due to a focus on the identified areas of need.

4.               Members would continue to promote the improvement of public health in the Borough.

5.               Councillor Don McGowan drew Members’ attention to paragraph 3.1.1 of the report noting that Public Health in Enfield had been historically underfunded:

·       The 2013/14 grant had been calculated at £36 per head of population, with the London average being £73.

·       The 2014/15 grant would be £40 per head.

Councillor Doug Taylor confirmed that this was a previously recognised issue and lobbying on this matter would continue.

6.               Councillor Ayfer Orhan praised the report which demonstrated effective partnership working. Councillor Orhan was pleased to note the involvement of education, such as the inclusion of school nursing and a focus on childhood obesity. Councillor Orhan extended her appreciation to those involved and looked forward to continued work on the health projects identified.

Alternative Options Considered: The transferring of health contracts from the NHS to local authorities enabled the Council to consider integrating services with other directorates and, therefore, broadening the opportunities for improving services and addressing the health and well-being of the local population with a broader prospective. The Public Health budget was currently ring-fenced until, at least, 31 March 2016.

DECISION: Cabinet agreed

1.               That the Council maintains associate status to contracts in relation to genitourinary medicine (GUM) services, School Nursing, Family Planning and Oral Health Promotion:

(a)  Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust (BEH MHT) – GUM, School Nursing and Family Planning (as detailed in paragraph 3.3.2 of the report).

(b)  NHS Whittington Trust – GUM and Oral Health Promotion (as detailed in paragraphs 3.3.6 and 3.3.7 of the report.

2.               To note the current contracts had been extended in accordance with the terms of the original contracts.

3.               To note the extension of the Council’s Pharmacy Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) Advisor contract for another year with a variance to include training pharmacy staff re distribution of Chlamydia Test Kit.

4.               To waivers of the Contract Procedure Rules for the following new contracts that the Council must enter into in order to maintain stability in service delivery and to carry out its public health duties and to authorise the entering into of the following contracts that would be the subject of new contracts, being:

5.               To note the Council maintains its statutory duty to fund these open access, confidential genitourinary medicine (GUM) services for public health without contracts.

6.               To note that the Council was entering into a joint procurement project with Enfield Clinical Commissioning Group for Community Services, which included the Council’s mandatory Sexual Health and School Nursing services – details of which were contained within the report.

Reason: To ensure continuity of services.

(Key decision – reference number 3908)