The Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) meeting on Wednesday 12 June 2024 focused on the future direction of the partnership, housing needs for older people and children, and the progress of the integrated care strategy. Key decisions included exploring a new partnership model and addressing housing-related health issues.

Future Direction of the Partnership

Sarah Perman, Director of Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council, provided a verbal report on the ICP's activities since the last meeting. Following a workshop on growth and a development session, members discussed transforming the ICP into a movement for change with a focus on childhood obesity. Wendy Wills, Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, agreed to share evaluations of whole system obesity approaches to assist in this transformation. A meeting will be convened in late April or early May to discuss the next steps.

Members expressed interest in the Partnership becoming more of a ‘movement for change’ rather than a Committee, said Sarah Perman.

The ICP endorsed the direction of travel for the partnership's future.

Housing Needs for Older People and Children

Christine Oker, Programme Manager at Hertfordshire County Council, and Sarah Perman presented on the projected housing needs for older people and housing conditions for children and young people. The presentations highlighted several challenges, including the gap between housing development and demand, reluctance of elderly people to move, and the link between poor mental health and unsuitable accommodation.

For children, poor housing conditions were discussed as a safeguarding issue, with a focus on prioritising care leavers and addressing respiratory conditions linked to housing. The ICP agreed on several actions, including developing an older people's housing strategy and raising awareness about the risks of damp and mould.

Poor accommodation should be treated as a safeguarding issue, noted the ICP members.

The presentations can be accessed here.

Integrated Care Strategy Delivery Plan

Christine Oker presented a report on the progress of the integrated care strategy delivery plan. Neil Tester, Chairman of Healthwatch Hertfordshire, highlighted the risks associated with reduced funding for the voluntary sector. The ICP agreed to bring this issue to a future meeting and to provide an annual update on selected indicators for the strategy.

Reduced resourcing and funding for the voluntary sector could affect the ability to deliver outcomes, warned Neil Tester.

The report was noted, and the ICP agreed to monitor the strategy's progress.

Update from the Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care Board

Michael Watson, Chief of Staff at the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, provided an update on the board's activities since the last meeting. The report was noted without further discussion.

For more details, the minutes of the meeting can be found here.