To receive any apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Law, Paul Northcott, Adel Jones, Alison Hernandez, Nancy Meehan who was represented by Becky Thompson.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 17 March 2022.

The Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 17 March 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairwoman.

To consider a report on the 2022 - 2025 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

The Director of Public Health, Lincoln Sargeant and Public Health Analyst, Simon Baker outlined the submitted report.  The Board was informed that the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) was a comprehensive assessment of the current and future pharmaceutical needs of the local population for community pharmacy, dispensing appliance contractors, and dispensing doctors in rural areas.  The Health and Wellbeing Board had a legal duty to ensure the production of a PNA for Torbay.

Members noted that the recent assessment had not identified gaps in pharmaceutical provision within Torbay despite the number of pharmacies in Torbay falling from 37 in 2018/19 to 31 in 2021/22 mostly as a result of the merger of pharmacy premises in close proximity to each other.  Members further noted that Torbay still had more pharmacies per head of population than the South West and England.  Members were advised that going forward, close attention would need to be paid to housing developments within Collaton St Mary which could lead to a significant population rise in that area.

Members made the distinction between pharmacy provision and pharmacist provision, questioning whether the PNA took into account the amount of time pharmacies were closed as a result of a pharmacist not being available and the impact this has on primary care.  The Director of Public Health agreed to raise this issue through the Integrated Care System and with the responsible commissioner for NHS England.

By consensus the Board resolved:

That the Torbay Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment for 2022-2025 be approved and published on Torbay Council’s website.

To consider the annual update of the Torbay Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Action Plan.

The Board noted the update on the Torbay Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Action Plan.  Members were advised that over the last year Torbay’s rate of suicide had dropped slightly.  However, the suicide rate was still significantly higher than many other areas in the country and combined with an economic position that currently challenges the most vulnerable individuals in our society, officers and partners could not become complacent. 

The Board was informed of the significant contribution Torbay Community Helpline had made in addressing mental health by looking at an individual holistically.  The ‘train the trainers’ approach to skilling up people to recognise and respond to mental health issues in the community was noted to be a successful method that had aided the delivery of a range of courses that aimed to boost wellbeing.  The self-harm prevention pilot in Torbay schools had also been extended for another year and had already delivered some positive outcomes.  New priorities had been identified and included ‘tackling basic needs’ as a means of preventing poor mental health and tailoring approaches to improving mental health in children and young people.

To receive a verbal update on the Family Hubs.

The Board noted a verbal report from the Divisional Director of Children’s Safeguarding, Becky Thompson on the Family Hubs.  The Board was informed that there was strong indication that the Family Hub funding would be available on a work stream basis with the programme centred around pre-birth to five year olds.  Whilst there would be opportunities to go beyond five year olds these opportunities would not be funded by the Government.  The Board noted that Torbay had applied to be accepted on program and to be included as a trail blazing authority.  An announcement of those successful trail blazing authorities was expected to be made in November 2022, with delivery expected to start during the beginning of 2023.

To receive a progress report on the implementation of the refreshed Torbay Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The Board noted the progress report on the Torbay Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.  Members were informed that the progress reports were quite positive with reasonable progress in each area of focus and the cross-cutting themes.  The Board welcomed the suggestion that the next iteration of the progress reports include details of barriers and delays for the Board to explore where partners can assist.

To receive a verbal update on the above.

The Board noted that the Council would be holding a cost of living summit towards the end of September 2022, with key partners.  The DWP also confirmed they would be holding a workshop in Plymouth which if successful would be rolled out further.  The Divisional Director of Customer and Community Services also set out details of the third round of the Household Support Fund with the Director of Public Health sharing details of plans to create warm banks, provide practical items such as slow cookers and blankets to assist those experiencing fuel poverty.