Agenda item

Councillor Janet Burgess, Executive Member Health and Social Care made a presentation to the Committee and outlined the report.

During consideration of the report and presentation the following main points were made –

·         It was noted that on page 61 of the Local Account for 2015/16 should be withdrawn as the comments attributed to Dr.Jo Sauvage were being rewritten

·         Councillor Burgess outlined the key achievements of improving health in Islington and that since 2000 life expectancy has increased in Islington for both men and women however this is still lower than London and England and is the eighth lowest amongst all London Boroughs

·         Infant mortality – Islington has the 5^th.lowest rate of all Local Authorities in England and a significant reduction in teenage pregnancies

·         Childhood obesity remains a significant challenge

·         There is a transformation programme to commission a substance misuse integrated treatment recovery service and improve outcomes and maximise value for money. There are also transformation programmes for sexual health, adult lifestyle and early years

·         In response to a question it was stated that Healthier Futures have completed an independent review of services using a resident enquiry approach and co-produced with residents a model for new services. Councillor Burgess stated that she would forward a copy to Members

·         Members were informed that the Government proposals on pharmacies could lead to a third of pharmacies in Islington closing

·         In terms of Adult Social Care, it was noted that Social Services spending accounts for one third of the Council’s budget

·         The Adult Social Care Plan outlines how the Council will support the delivery of the Corporate Plan Towards a Fairer Islington

·         Service improvements had been made to the reablement service and this is a department priority for 2016/17

·         Areas of focus for the coming year include working with providers to develop a market of care best suited to the needs of the residents, enabling people to stay as well and independently in the community as possible, delivering savings that has a low impact on quality of services as possible, scoping the market to ensure investments support emerging trends and is focused on minimising dependency on long term services, continuing to develop joined – up health, care and support services with NHS Partners, including the CCG, Whittington Hospital and Camden and Islington NHS Trust, ensuring family carers are supported to continue in their caring role, where they choose to do so, as well as improving outcomes for family carers in Islington

·         Reference was made to the substance misuse transformation strategy and that it would be useful if the Committee could receive an update in May as to the effectiveness of the proposals and the approach to different types of drug use

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the report be noted and that a report back to the Committee be submitted to the May meeting in respect of the substance misuse policy, as referred to above

(b)  That a copy of the Healthier Futures report, referred to above, be circulated to Members once this is available