The Board noted that the NHS are required by law to publish a plan that explains how health and care organisations across north east London will work together to enable residents to get the care that they need.  This could be physical care – seeing a GP, getting hospital treatment or care at home, or it could be mental health care when residents are struggling or having a crisis. A summation of the discussion on this item is set out below:

The Board:

v  Noted that the Joint Forward Plan spells out who will take the lead in getting residents the help and care they need.

v  Noted that there was extensive consultation on this plan involving residents and organisations involved in caring for the local population (GPs, hospital doctors, councils, Healthwatch and local charities) to agree this plan as the way forward to improve the health of everyone who lives in North East London.

v  Noted that the Plan will be reviewed each year to make sure that it is tackling the long-standing local issues.

v  Agreed that a new approach is needed in regard to how the relevant agencies should work together to deliver health and social care for local people across the Borough.

v  Agreed that more time and resources needs to be spent on prevention helping people to take better care of themselves before they get sick and then need to rely on the NHS and others.

v  Agreed the important role that the built and natural environment has on health and well-being, with the local plan being a real opportunity to improve health outcomes and address health inequalities.

v  Agreed that both the built and natural environment are part of the wider determinants of health and wellbeing across the life course and have an influence on people’s physical and mental health, and on health inequalities.

v  Agreed that the quality of the built and natural environment can affect connectivity within a neighbourhood and people’s social networks, the location and quality of housing, exposure to air and noise pollution, safe and accessible transport, and opportunities for active travel. It also plays a crucial role in promoting access to open space, employment, and healthy food options.

v  Agreed that some of the most pressing health challenges – such as obesity, poor mental health issues, physical inactivity and the needs of an ageing population are influenced by the built and natural environment.

v  Agreed that the planning, design, construction and management of spaces and places can help to promote good health, improve access to goods and services, and alleviate, or in some cases even prevent, poor health thereby having a positive impact on reducing health inequalities.

v  Agreed that is would therefore be helpful for the Plan to be more specific about how it will tackle the long-standing local health issues (e.g., the quality of the built environment such as the connection between where new homes are delivered and that air quality).

In conclusion, the Chair thanked everybody for their presentations and contributions to the discussions on this critical issue to improve the health and lives of everyone in the Borough.

The Chair then Moved, and it was RESOLVED to note the Plan and to incorporate the points raised above to help the partnership focus its work with and for all the Boroughs residents to create meaningful improvements in their health, wellbeing, and equity.