The Healthier Communities Select Committee met on Thursday, 18 July 2024, to discuss the progress of the Birmingham and Lewisham African and Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR) and to receive a final report on the Empowering Lewisham Programme. The committee also agreed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Response to BLACHIR

Lisa Fannon, Training and Development Manager, and Helen Buttivant, Senior Public Health Consultant, presented an update on the Birmingham and Lewisham African and Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR). The review identified seven key areas for improvement across eight themes, including fairness, inclusion, trust, data, early interventions, health checks, healthier behaviours, and health literacy, with the aim of closing the inequality gap for Black African and Black Caribbean communities. Of the 39 opportunities for action identified, progress is being made on 26, with 13 of these integrated into Lewisham's 'Health Inequalities and Health Equity Programme 2022-24'.

A community partner, the Social Inclusion Recovery Group (SIRG), has been engaged to enhance co-production and facilitate the implementation of the review's recommendations. An advisory group of six Voluntary Community Sector organisations has also been established, prioritising four specific opportunities for further detailed work.

Committee members raised concerns about the sustainability of the programme beyond 2024 and the need for improved communication with councillors regarding BLACHIR-related events. Officers confirmed that efforts are underway to integrate effective actions into routine operations and that the BLACHIR work remains a high priority for the current administration. Work is also progressing on developing a culturally competent and trauma-informed training framework, with discussions ongoing with Goldsmiths University. The 'Up! Up!' weight management service, tailored for Black African and Black Caribbean populations, will continue with secured funding until March 2025, after which its sustainability will be evaluated.

The committee resolved to note the report and requested officers to provide a plan outlining how the BLACHIR recommendations will be implemented following the conclusion of the current programme.

Empowering Lewisham Programme - Final Report

Joan Hutton, Director of Adult Social Care, Bailey Cottingham, Principal Consultant from Newton Europe, and Tom Brown, Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health, presented the final report on the Empowering Lewisham Programme. The programme has focused on transforming and modernising Adult Social Care, with a sustainability phase completed in September 2023.

Key achievements highlighted include the development of Power BI dashboards for strategic data analysis, fostering a culture change to empower staff, and reducing homecare hours by approximately 4,000 and avoiding 36 new placements through promoting independent living. The programme was recognised with nominations for the Local Government Chronicle and MJ awards.

The report detailed the programme's financial benefits, with projected recurrent savings of £8.6m to £11.5m over five to six years. The initial investment has been recovered, and the programme is on track to exceed its savings targets. The committee was informed about the Ideal Outcomes Meetings, which are collaborative sessions focused on identifying support options based on residents' strengths and ideal outcomes.

Staff retention was identified as a priority, with efforts to nurture and facilitate staff development. The committee requested further information on resident feedback, including case studies of negative feedback and the annual complaints report for adult social care, as well as an annual savings report for the programme.

The committee resolved to note the report and receive an informal briefing on the sustained outcomes of the Empowering Lewisham programme in six to eight months.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee agreed its work programme for 2024-25. It was noted that an all-member briefing on Lewisham's preparation for a CQC inspection is scheduled for 25 September. The agreed work programme includes items such as a final report on the Empowering Lewisham Programme, a response to BLACHIR, updates on carers in Lewisham, the Adult Social Care strategy, and updates from the South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB) on Primary Care Networks (PCNs).