The Health Improvement Partnership Board of Oxfordshire Council met on Thursday 13 June 2024 to discuss various health initiatives and performance reports. Key topics included the performance report on health priorities, updates on the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, development of healthy weight services, the implementation of the Oxfordshire Food Strategy, and progress on physical activity initiatives.

Performance Report

Steven Bow, Consultant in Public Health in Data, Intelligence, and Research at Oxfordshire County Council, presented the performance report. The report covered four priorities within Oxfordshire’s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2023: a good start in life, living well, and ageing well. Of the 15 indicators reported, nine had new data, with four indicators marked green, seven amber, and four red. Notably, the latest data for breast screening uptake had decreased, moving the measure from amber to red. Discussions also focused on the challenges of increasing MMR vaccination rates post-pandemic. Ansaf Azhar and Dr Sam Hart were tasked with exploring local practices to boost MMR vaccine uptake.

Report from Healthwatch Ambassador

Veronica Barry, Healthwatch Oxfordshire Ambassador, shared a report highlighting issues such as access to mental health support for adults, waiting times for CAMHS and SEND assessments, access to NHS dentists, GP appointment waiting times, the cost of social care for older people, the cost of living, and health inequalities. The full report can be accessed here.

Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Oxfordshire

David Munday, Consultant in Public Health and Deputy Director, presented an update on the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Health Improvement Board, a subgroup of the Health and Wellbeing Board, has focused on mental wellbeing, tobacco control, and healthy weight and physical activity. A new diagram outlining these priorities, including the addition of alcohol control, was agreed upon by the board. Future agenda items will cover these priority areas.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 Healthy Weight Services Development

Sally Culmer-Shields from Oxfordshire County Council and Angela Jessop, Personalised Care Lead at Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, discussed the development of Tier 2 and Tier 3 healthy weight services. Oxfordshire is currently in the 'Action' phase of its healthy weight strategy, focusing on prevention, healthy weight environments, support services, and system leadership. The new Tier 2 all-age service is expected to start in summer 2024. The board also received an update on Tier 3 and 4 services, highlighting challenges such as waiting times and out-of-area referrals.

Oxfordshire Food Strategy Implementation

Kerry Lock from Nourish and Flourish, Rachel Ward from the NHS, Fiona Steel from Good Food Oxfordshire, and Lauren Rushen from Oxfordshire County Council presented progress on the Oxfordshire Food Strategy since its publication in 2022. The strategy includes work overseen by Food Action Working Groups in each of the five city/district areas. Discussions focused on expanding the strategy to diverse communities and partnering with schools to promote healthy choices. Dr Sam Hart suggested raising awareness of the Nourish and Flourish programme among primary care providers.

Physical Activity Update

Josh Lenthall and Helen Mariner from Active Oxfordshire provided an update on the Oxfordshire on the Move initiative, including the Move Together Programme and YouMove. The board congratulated Active Oxfordshire on the programme's impact on individuals' mental and physical health and its role in reducing demand on primary care. Future updates will cover the Active Travel Outreach programme and physical activity in hospital pathways.

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