Agenda item
Transfer of Commissioning Responsibility for early years (0-5 years) Public Health Services from NHS England to the Local Authority
Recommendation:
Endorse the proposed Stakeholder Engagement process and have an overview of the implementation of the new localised service specification where Public Health will report back periodically to the panel on progress.
Lead for Item: Esther Trenchard-Mabere,Associate Director of Public Health, LBTH
Minutes:
Esther Trenchard-Mabere,Associate Director of Public Health, LBTH presented the report regarding the transfer of commissioning responsibilities for early years (0-5) public health services, specifically, the health visiting service (HV) and the family nurse partnership (FNP) from NHS England to the local Authority on 1st October 2015.
The Board noted the importance of these services in view of the Marmot Review 2010 that concluded that intervention in early years had a real impact on life long health and the subsequent government decision to expand this service nationally.
This was the final stage of the transfer of services that had been timed to allow for the expansion of the HV service and the roll out of the FNP. Local Authorities would have the freedom to ‘localise’ the national service specification to reflect local needs. There would also be a number of mandated elements with less local flexibility regarding how these services would be delivered.
The transfer, along with the significant expansion of the HV workforce, presented opportunities to strengthen the HV service and to develop new specification to improve integration with other services.
The Board also noted the plans underway to prepare for the change, the proposed budget and the transfer process.
Public Health were carrying out an in depth consultation exercise on the changes in the early part of next year and it was suggested that results would be shared with the Board.
The Board then watched a video about the Family Nurse Partnership with service users giving feedback on the success of the initiative and the ways that it had helped them. Anna Lynch from the Family Nurse Partnership explained some of the background to the initiative nationally and in Tower Hamlets. She outlined the eligibility criteria for support from the Partnership. Some of the aims including: helping with school readiness, the child parent relationship and helping the mother in terms of education and employment.
In response to questions, it was reported that Public Health were engaging with NHS England about the initiative. It was anticipated that the outstanding issues identified in the report regarding the budget accommodation etc. would be addressed before the contract was finalised. But if not, the Board would be notified about this. It was felt that there were sufficient capacity in the service to support all those who meet the eligibility criteria. The Board welcomed their work in supporting whole families.
The meeting also heard from Helen Miller from the Health Visiting services. Whilst there had been investment to increase numbers, a current aim was to develop their role further. This including developing specialisms in mental health issues. Ideally, they should be in a position to share good practice and spread knowledge. In response, a Board Member asked whether the HVs could have a teaching role in schools and in health services.
In response to further questions, the Board noted the importance of the HV needs assessment, in particularly in linking the child and families to other services that might need their help.
It was noted that one area where the Board could really have an impact was in influencing the locally determined services. Particularly, in ensuring that collectively, the Borough gets the best outcomes. It was reported that there would be a workshop on this process. All Members of the Board would be invited.
Resolved:
That the proposed Stakeholder Engagement process be endorsed and the overview of the implementation of the new localised service specification
That it be noted that Public Health will report back periodically to the panel on progress.
Supporting documents:
- 3.3 HWBB Template for council reports_HV-FNP, item 2.3 PDF 118 KB
- 3.3 Appendix 1 Transfer of commissioning for early years public health - paper for HWBB, item 2.3 PDF 117 KB
- 3.3 Appendix 2 DoH Factsheet 0-5 Transfer 211114, item 2.3 PDF 89 KB