The Health and Wellbeing Board met on 18 January 2024 to discuss cardiovascular disease prevention, progress on the Fit and Active Barnet initiative, and efforts to make the borough dementia-friendly. The Board approved an updated Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Action Plan for 2024 and noted progress on the Fit and Active Barnet framework. They also commented on the ongoing work to make Barnet a dementia-friendly borough.

Deep Dive: Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Barnet

The Board reviewed and approved the updated Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention Action Plan for 2024, which aims to reduce premature mortality and health inequalities related to CVD. Dr. Deborah Jenkins, Public Health Consultant, presented the plan, highlighting that CVD is the leading cause of preventable premature death and that risk factors vary significantly across Barnet's wards, often linked to deprivation. The plan focuses on interventions in both community and healthcare settings, including promoting weight management, physical activity, health screening in deprived areas, and optimising smoking cessation services.

The Board heard about the Healthy Heart Peer Support Project, which provides culturally competent support for high blood pressure and heart health, particularly within African, Caribbean, and South Asian communities. Judi Dumont-Barter, from Inclusion Barnet, explained that the project offers multi-session programmes and has seen significant engagement.

Sarah Campbell, Healthwatch Barnet Manager, presented the Core20 Connectors project, which aimed to raise awareness of high blood pressure through community outreach. The project conducted 967 blood pressure tests, targeting specific populations, and provided signposting to local services. Barriers to behavioural change, such as the cost of living and stress, were noted.

Dr. Tim Lockie, Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, discussed CVD prevention and management in secondary and tertiary care. He highlighted the higher prevalence of CVD in the Royal Free Trust's area and the strategy to consolidate cardiology services. Dr. Lockie also spoke about improvements in heart failure treatment and the success of pilot mega-clinics in improving patient outcomes.

Michelle Humphrey and Colette Wood presented on CVD prevention in primary care, detailing opportunities for smoking cessation and the role of the Long Term Conditions Locally Commissioned Service (LTC LCS) in case finding and management.

The Board resolved to note the report and appendices and approve the updated Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Action Plan 2024.

Fit and Active Barnet - Year 1 Progress and Year 2 Action Plan (April 2024)

David Walton presented an update on the Fit and Active Barnet (FAB) framework, Barnet's physical activity strategy. The report highlighted the success of the Get Active. Give it a Go! campaign, which engaged over 4,000 participants in free and low-cost activities. Facility improvements, including a Changing Places facility at Finchley Lido Leisure Centre and the accreditation of Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre as dementia-friendly, were also noted. Targeted interventions for weight management, physical activity on referral, and support for children and young people were detailed.

The report also outlined plans for 2023-24, including ongoing leisure centre recovery, investment in parks and greenspaces, and the redevelopment of Finchley Lido Leisure Centre. The upcoming Paris Olympic Games are seen as an opportunity to further encourage physical activity. The FAB framework is being refreshed to align with the emerging Culture Strategy and a new Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.

The Board resolved to note the contents of the report and the achievements to date of the Fit & Active Barnet Framework.

Dementia Friendly Barnet (update)

Seher Kayikci, Senior Public Health Strategist, provided an update on the Dementia Friendly Barnet initiative. The borough has gained formal accreditation from the Alzheimer's Society for its work towards becoming a dementia-friendly community. Key action areas include Dementia Friendly Venues, Dementia Friendly Faith Communities, and Dementia Friendly High Streets.

Strategic developments include alignment with the Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report 2023, the new Ageing Well Workstream by the North Central London (NCL) Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Barnet's first Dementia Strategy. An NCL-wide Dementia Friendly Accreditation scheme is set to launch in April 2024.

Progress includes 21 venues signing up for the Dementia Friendly Venues Charter, the development of a self-assessment framework for Dementia Friendly Faith Communities, and four businesses signing up to the Dementia Friendly High Streets initiative. Over 15,000 people have become Dementia Friends, and 1,400 people have undergone Understanding Dementia training.

Future plans include developing a refreshed action plan, establishing an NCL-wide accreditation scheme, and working with the fire service and transport providers to enhance dementia-friendly practices.

The Board resolved to note and comment on the progress towards making Barnet a Dementia Friendly borough.

Place/Borough Based Partnerships

Claire O'Callaghan presented recommendations arising from discussions with the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Barnet Borough Partnership. Chris Munday emphasised the need to update delivery groups to reflect priorities and suggested including the Healthy Child Programme. Fiona Bateman queried the role of partnerships in patient safety, and it was confirmed that statutory agencies retain this responsibility.

The Board resolved to reaffirm the importance of both the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Barnet Borough Partnership at the borough level, agree proposed delivery and enabling priorities, agree changes to how the Health and Wellbeing Board will operate, note recommendations for the Barnet Borough Partnership's future model, and communicate recommendations for system-level partners to the North Central London Integrated Care Board.

Other Business

The Board noted the list of Health and Wellbeing Board (HWBB) acronyms and the Forward Work Programme. The Chair announced that the meeting scheduled for 14 March 2024 had been cancelled, with the next meeting taking place on 9 May 2024.