Agenda item - Brighton & Hove Caring Together: Communication and Engagement Strategy

Report of the Executive Director for Health & Adult Social Care (copy attached).

RESOLVED:

15.1      That the strategy be noted; and

15.2      That the Board should receive regular updates on the communications and engagement strategy, any updates and progress.

15.1      Dr. Supple noted that a launch event for the STP engagement process had been held on the 4^th July, which had gone well but was very much the beginning of the process.  He stated that following feedback improvements would be made to the ongoing consultation process and he hoped that it would provide confidence in that process and a better understanding of what was being planned.  There was a need to involve all colleagues across the Health & Social Care Sector and to be mindful that various communication methods would need to be employed as different models suited different people e.g. the need for evening events and roadshows at various locations across the city had been recognised.  He noted that there was a level of tension around the city in relation to the process and he hoped this could be addressed by having an honest conversation.

15.2      The Executive Director for Health & Adult Social Care stated that it was intended to collate the information obtained and to report back to the Board in due course.

15.3      Councillor Page stated that there was a degree of frustration in regard to the level of financial information that was available from the CCG and the savings required.  He also noted that another surgery was due to close later in the year and queried how it would affect the Better Care Fund.

15.4      The Executive Director for Health & Adult Social Care stated that the Better Care Fund criteria had to be agreed with Health colleagues and officers were in discussion about funding and savings target for the whole of Sussex as well as Brighton & Hove.  It was hoped that further information would be available for the Board meeting in September.

15.5      Councillor Barford welcomed the engagement process and thanked those who were leading it and asked that consideration be given to how to engage with the Learning Disability Community and those who did not have English as a first language.

15.6      Councillor Taylor stated that he supported the idea of integration in principle and that everyone could learn from each other.  He asked what was planned for engagement with the elderly population and noted that the report to the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee stated there were no financial implications in relation to the Caring Together engagement process, but questioned the cost of officer time and hire of venues.

15.7      The Executive Director for Health & Adult Social Care noted the comments and stated that the report to the PR&G Committee was a direction of travel report and that there would be an intensive period of work in regard to the integration process.  He hoped that a further report could then be brought to the Board in the autumn.  It was likely that there would be a shadow period prior to full implementation.  He was also aware of the need to manage the engagement costs and to give consideration to how engage with various communities.

15.8      The Chair stated that everyone was learning together and the use of the consultation portal would be helpful as part of the engagement process.  He therefore asked if the Board was happy to note the report and strategy.

15.9      RESOLVED:

(1)    That the strategy be noted; and

(2)    That the Board should receive regular updates on the communications and engagement strategy, any updates and progress.