The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Wednesday 20 March 2024 to discuss a range of public health matters, including updates on the delivery of inequality priorities, substance misuse, mental health, and the work of Healthwatch Ealing. Key decisions included noting reports on these topics and agreeing to promote new visual resources on mental health.

Healthwatch Update: Maternity Project and Care Home Strategy

Carleen Duffy from Healthwatch Ealing presented findings from two key projects. The Maternity Project highlighted that while most women reported positive childbirth experiences, those with mixed or negative experiences often felt unsupported postnatally and expressed a need for more appointments, financial assistance, information, and emotional support. Challenges faced by asylum seekers, including inadequate accommodation, language barriers, and a lack of cooperation between healthcare providers and support organisations, were also discussed. Recommendations included improving meal options, providing emotional well-being check-ins, offering financial and essential item support, ensuring adequate language services, and fostering better collaboration between the NHS and voluntary sector organisations.

The Care Home Strategy report detailed findings from Enter and View visits to eight care homes in Ealing. The report identified capacity constraints as a significant concern, with most homes operating at full capacity or having very few beds available. Other issues raised included staffing levels, the need for improved access to dental care, and the importance of dementia-friendly signage and culturally appropriate care. Despite rating differences between homes, the report found a consistent commitment to resident well-being across all facilities. The Board noted the report, with discussions highlighting the pressures on the NHS and the ambition to ensure all care workers are paid the living wage.

Delivery of Borough-Based Partnership Inequalities Priorities

Anna Bryden, Director of Public Health, provided an update on the Borough-Based Partnership's (BBP) efforts to reduce inequalities. The Board was informed about the allocation of two funding opportunities: the Public Health inequalities fund and the NHS population health management and inequalities fund. The Public Health inequalities fund has supported initiatives such as a Trading Standards project to tackle underage vaping and illicit tobacco, and an Alcohol partnership group addressing alcohol-related harm.

The report highlighted promising results from the Therapeutic Thinking initiative in Ealing high schools, which has seen a decrease in suspensions among priority minority ethnic groups. Other initiatives discussed included training for nurseries on Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN) in deprived areas, a health check event in Southall, and School Readiness sessions for families. The Board noted the report, which detailed progress in addressing health inequalities across the borough.

Substance Misuse Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

The Board received an update on the final version of Ealing's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) chapter on drugs and alcohol. Anna Bryden explained that the JSNA aims to understand adult and young people's drug and alcohol treatment provision and resident needs. The assessment methodology involved quantitative and qualitative analysis, service mapping, and a review of strategies and evidence. The report detailed findings on drug and alcohol use prevalence, risk factors, national and local strategies, and the current treatment system. The Board noted the report.

Annual Public Health Report on Mental Health

Rajwinder Hira, Public Health Senior Specialist, presented the Annual Public Health Report for 2023-24, focusing on mental health. The report, presented in a visual format, summarised key concepts and data from the recently published mental health JSNA. It highlighted the influence of social determinants of health on mental well-being and the role of communities in promoting it. The report was co-designed with a visual artist and a local community organisation, Gosad, to ensure wider reach and impact. The Board was recommended to note the visual report and agree to its publication, as well as promote the visual products to stakeholders and communities.

Health and Wellbeing Board Work Programme

Anna Bryden presented the Health and Wellbeing Board Work Programme, outlining upcoming agenda items and strategic priorities. The Board noted the update.