The Health and Wellbeing Board of Leicestershire Council met on Thursday 27 June 2024 to discuss several key health initiatives and updates. The meeting focused on the progress of various health and wellbeing strategies, addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes, and the findings of the Black Mental Health and Me report.

Health Needs Assessment for Sexual Health

Laura French presented the health needs assessment for sexual health, which was conducted in preparation for recommissioning the sexual health service in Leicester. The assessment highlighted the complexity of sexual health commissioning and the need for an open-access service. Key findings included a higher-than-average rate of STI diagnoses among young people and an increase in gonorrhea rates. Recommendations focused on improving access to services, integrating community outreach, and addressing financial and staffing challenges.

Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Outcomes

Ruw Abeyratne presented the report on addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes for the population of Leicester. The report, aligned with the national Five Times More campaign, outlined three key areas for action: knowledge, attitudes, and assumptions. The report emphasized the need for proactive approaches to improve equity in maternity services and recommended using data to identify specific problems and develop targeted interventions.

Black Mental Health and Me Report

Amanda Teets from the African Heritage Alliance discussed the Black Mental Health and Me report, which highlighted ongoing disparities in mental health care for Black communities. The report recommended culturally competent mental health services, increased awareness, and the appointment of a Black mental health lead. The Board agreed to integrate these recommendations into the Mental Health Collaborative and report back in six months.

Joint Health, Care, and Wellbeing Delivery Plan Progress Update

Diana Humphries provided an update on the delivery plan and strategy progress. The Board reviewed the Do, Sponsor, and Watch priorities across five themes: Healthy Places, Healthy Start, Healthy Lives, Healthy Minds, and Healthy Ageing. Key initiatives included the development of integrated neighbourhood teams, the Enhanced Access Service in Primary Care, and the Family Hubs early adopter sites. The Board discussed the need for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of these initiatives.

Learning Disability Programme Board Update

Michelle Larke presented an update on the Learning Disability Programme Board and the Learning Disability Strategy. The Board discussed the success of the annual health checks, the need for a multidisciplinary MOT offer for those with learning disabilities, and the importance of integrating the voices of those with learning disabilities into city services.

Healthy Conversation Skills (MECC)

Amy Endacott presented on the Healthy Conversation Skills training program, which aims to upskill the health, care, and voluntary sector workforces to encourage positive health and wellbeing changes. The Board discussed the importance of funding to sustain the program and agreed to include it in the upcoming Development Session on reviewing the HWB priorities.

Other Business

The Board noted the importance of ongoing evaluation and the need for future updates on key initiatives, including the Family Hubs and the impact of the FIT pilot on early detection of bowel cancer. The meeting concluded with thanks to Alison Williams for her work as minute taker and the introduction of Georgia Humby as the new Governance Services Officer.

For more details, you can refer to the minutes of the meeting.