Issue - meetings
HWB story on Homelessness in Tower Hamlets
Meeting: 02/02/2021 - Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 2)
2 Health and Wellbeing Story - the impacts of digital exclusion PDF 216 KB
The Board will receive a verbal presentation about the impact of ‘digital service delivery on service users’.
Additional documents:
- Item 2. Appendix 1 Digital inclusion_summary page (2), item 2 PDF 192 KB
- HWBB 2.2.2021Digital Inclusion, item 2 PDF 58 KB
- Webcast for Health and Wellbeing Story - the impacts of digital exclusion
Minutes:
The Board received a presentation that outlined how the move across the partnership to digital service delivery is impacting on users, also a number of residents talked about their own experiences including access to devices, access to the internet and their skills in using devices.
The main points arising from the discussion on the findings and learning across the partnership may be summarised as follows:
The Board:
v Were advised how the Tower Hamlets Community and Voluntary Sector (CVS) has been delivering a digital project commissioned by Tower Hamlets Together (THT) covering community insights, training, access to devices and personalisation.
v Commented about (i) the innovations such as the smartphone applications for those who are living with a hearing-impairment; (ii) how they have helped Deaf BSL patients; and (iii) that in hospitals and in general practice the pandemic has highlighted how important it is to ensure that appropriate reasonable adjustments must be made to ensure that the required digital infrastructure must be in place to support patients with a sensory impairment.
v Wanted to see all service providers to taking steps or make “reasonable adjustments” to avoid putting any patient with disabilities at a substantial disadvantage when compared to a person who is not disabled.
v Expressed concern that not all health care professionals in hospitals/general practice apparently were not fully aware of (i) the BSL interpreter booking process or how to use; and (ii) the BSL online remote access that allows persons with a sensory impairment who use BSL to use video equipment to communicate with voice telephone users.
v Wanted assurances that the right technological solutions were in place to support all health care professionals in hospitals/general practice in in Tower Hamlets and that health care professionals were aware of the available infrastructure and how to use it.
v Expressed concern that the myGP app that allows people to book and cancel appointments is not apparently accessible for all patients with a sensory impairment. Which is a real barrier and requires the patient to set up an online account which required the patient to have an e-mail address.
v The Board indicated that it wished to see that appropriate adjustments are made to ensure that (i) the required digital infrastructure is in place; and (ii) staff trained and made aware to support patients with a sensory impairment.
v The Board wanted to see the promotion of BSL as a language in an education setting” with each child starting primary school in LBTH to learn BSL from KS1 to KS4 as additional language. The Board wanted to see key stakeholders from sign language and from education to explore how BSL could be sustainably taught in the Borough’s mainstream school with the aim for an inclusive community where Deaf BSL pupils can communicate in BSL with their friends, peers, and staff.
v The Board wanted to see ways to address the digital divide in the Borough the pandemic having highlighted that those who are unable to access the internet find ... view the full minutes text for item 2
Meeting: 17/11/2020 - Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board (Item 2)
HWB story on Homelessness in Tower Hamlets
The Board will receive a verbal presentation on this item.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Chair introduced this item that provided an insight into the Borough’s health and wellbeing story regarding those who are struggling with homelessness, children’s education, and their own health. The Chair then welcomed Seema Chotye (Team Manager, Statutory and Advocacy Team) and Aisling Heading (Guest Speaker). The main points arising from the discussion on this item may be summarised as follows:
The Board noted:
- The prompt action by the Tower Hamlets Intervention and Housing Services had, had a massive positive impact on Aisling’s family’s health and well-being.
- That the Services had given the family 110% support encouraging and motivating them, they had been also been put in touch any other agencies/services that could support the family. However, Aisling stressed to the importance of being willing to act upon the advice and where possible taking the initiative.
- That the family had been supported by the National Autistic Society who had assisted Aisling getting a designation of a “Key Worker” and was working on obtaining a for grant for Aislings daughter to support the family.
- That the recovery of the service post Covid-19 has provided the opportunity: (i) for a different customer experience; (ii) to achieve a higher rate of prevention; and (iii) reduce temporary accommodation placements and associated costs.
- That those seeking help should as mentioned earlier be able to understand the help on offer and access such help through a range of channels, including to self-help, whether on the web or over the phone or from alternative service settings.
- That the presentation was a positive example of collaborative working between Housing; Adult; and Children's services and how they can understand how to work together for the benefit of the communities that the Council and its partners seek to serve; and
- That the physical mental health of families is so interconnected with their environment.
The Chair then Moved, and it was:
RESOLVED that it wanted an update at a future meeting.