Agenda item

An opportunity to hear from the Co-Chair of One Northern Devon on their work taking place in the District.

Katherine Allen (One Northern Devon Co-Chair) joined the meeting remotely and provided members with a detailed presentation, which outlined the vision and strategy of One Northern Devon (OND), a partnership working towards all residents having the opportunity to live healthy, sustainable, and fulfilling lives.

It was explained that the partnership involves various organisations collaborating, sharing resources, and aiming for a vibrant, sustainable northern Devon that attracts investment and unlocks long term prosperity - recognising that economic growth and health are intrinsically linked.

Members were provided with an overview of the work of OND and their links with the Northern Devon Futures Board, along with the 6 action groups that lead on their delivery of work. The action groups were highlighted, along with their own agreed aims and objectives and performance measures.

The Co-Chair noted how Local Government and NHS vision were adapting and a key focus was organising services around "neighbourhoods" (populations of 30,000-50,000 people). It was explained this model aimed to help people live well locally, reduce hospital attendance, and provide convenient care. The model was being supported by a shift to digital health services (back-end administration, data sharing), population health management (identifying at-risk individuals for early intervention, e.g., virtual wards), and prioritising prevention (nutrition, activity, avoiding ill health).

Whilst highlighting the 10 year plan for OND data from Devon County Council was used to demonstrate the significant increase in healthcare presentations for individuals aged 75 and further details were provided on the issues affecting the local population and the role of OND and Northern Devon Futures in supporting the delivery of local projects and outcomes through partnership working. 

The OND workplan was then highlighted and detail was provided on local projects including:

• Bideford diagnostics facility and health and wellbeing hub - joint NHS and Torridge Regeneration Board funding.
• High-intensity user support - wrap around support in partnership with voluntary sector for those attending A&E mostly due to social emergencies).
• Community Connectors - partnership work with the voluntary sector to reduce isolation, avoiding hospital admissions.
• Ilfracombe complex needs project - Poverty Truth Commission work taking place in Ilfracombe) and Coastal Navigators (national programme addressing rural coastal deprivation).
• "Closing the Gap” – improving services for the most deprived 20%, using the learning from Poverty Truth.
• Torridge Red Cross projects - GP practise-organised support for those experiencing social barriers to health.

Finally, some of the National policy that all the work is being undertaken within was highlighted for members and Councillors were invited to attend One Northern Devon and Northern Devon Future meetings. The Co-Chair emphasising the value of elected representatives within community engagement.

Members were asked for their questions.

Following a question related to mental health provision locally the Co-Chair of OND acknowledged the importance of early intervention and the known benefits of this, but it was advised that her counterpart in the Devon Partnership Trust was best suited to respond to questions on these issues.

Members raised disparities in GP appointment waiting times within the towns compared to rural practices. The Co-Chair of OND highlighted the Government’s focus on same-day GP access, recognising that this needed to balance urgent / complex care needs with the needs of those able to wait. Future transparency in GP practise reporting on same day appointments was also noted.

Concerns were raised regarding the move towards digital healthcare, especially for the elderly and those in rural areas, citing issues with broadband quality, digital literacy, and mobile phone ownership. The Co-Chair of OND explained the scope of NHS modernisation, how this was helping in terms of support for clinicians and staff behind the scenes and what this meant in terms of the virtual wards and avoiding hospital admission – it was clarified that any kit supplied would not rely on patients' own data or broadband. It was suggested there could be some collaboration with councils on the wider digital access issues, and ensuring a move to digital doesn’t exclude and digital support that has been provided by local Libraries was acknowledged.

Following some additional question on virtual wards the Co-chair of OND reiterated that virtual wards aimed to supplement, rather than replace, existing services and patients were able to decline participation. She also noted efforts to address equity for those disadvantaged by technology (e.g., booking appointments via phone alerts).

Members had a detailed discussion relating to mental health provision, including community emergency hubs, waiting lists for talking therapy and housing issues and childhood nutrition and child poverty impacts.  The Co-Chair advised of work taking place on all these issues and reiterated the importance of strong mental health services. OND work to look at the impact of housing and poverty was highlighted, along with acknowledgment of the long term impacts of these issues on the health of the community and health provision.

The Director of Communities & Place emphasised that the OND and Northern Devon Futures Board both provided a forum for multiple agencies to discuss the types of complex problems being raised like housing and community well-being, with the aim of fostering joined-up solutions and partnership working.

The Director of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) went on to note that Torridge District Council were also working on a Resilience Fund to provide financial and food assistance, advice, and signposting, but this was currently awaiting DCC authorisation.

Following a question on bed blocking due to a lack of carers and funding for home care packages the Co-Chair of OND referred to the "Living Well in Devon" project, which is analysing spending on re-enablement, residential care, and domiciliary care, with early findings suggesting that investing money in the right place (e.g., more carers) could improve the system.

Members thanked the Co-Chair of OND for her presentation.