Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The Sub-committee received a presentation from Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, Chair of the Health Inequalities Programme Board, Jill Harland, Consultant, Public Health and Alistair Blair, Medical Director, who were from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.  The presentation set out the approach of the Trust to embed a health inequalities approach across the Trust and with partners.

The presentation included information on the work of the Health Inequalities programme Board which aims to be a centre of health inequalities work across the trust and to facilitate and spread good practice.  This is taking a data analytical approach to identify and measure health inequalities and to take action to address those that are within the locus of control of the Trust.  The initial strategic priorities are smoking, lung cancer, health while waiting for treatment, DNSs – colposcopy, workforce wellbeing, Local Health Index and the community promise.

The presentation also set out how the Trust is addressing inequalities through their public health programme through the integration of public health analysis across business units.  The presentation set out some of the priority work steams, including smoking in pregnancy, healthy weight, maternal mental health Covid 19, treating tobacco dependency, active hospitals and staff health and wellbeing.  The Trust is also promoting the ‘Make Every Contact Count’ approach to encourage changes in behaviour that have a positive effect on health and wellbeing.

The Sub-committee was provided with information on some of the targeted approaches to addressing inequalities.  In particular, the work to analyse inequalities in lung cancer referrals and diagnoses and the introduction of a case finding pilot aimed at high-risk patients.  This had been successful in picking up a much higher proportion of lung cancer cases at an early stage in the targeted group and plans are in place to roll the pilot out to a wider area.

It was noted that the Trust is working in partnership with Local Authorities and other agencies, including education, in recognition of the complex factors impacting on health inequalities. 

Members highlighted the current cost of living crisis and the concern that increasing numbers of people are likely to be facing increased financial hardship and the additional pressure this will place on health services and the likely impact on health inequalities.  It was highlighted that the work of the Health Inequalities Programme Board was focusing on action within the Trust’s control and influence, both within the Trust and working through partners in the community.  The Trust will also be looking at how it can target resources to address inequalities. 

Members questioned whether there was enough resource put into preventative public health measures.  They highlighted a need for resources for mental health treatment.  The Trust highlighted that the value of preventative action is recognised and that prevention can be better and usually cheaper than cure, and they work with partners in relation to this.  However, decisions on funding are made at a government level.

There was some discussion about the work of the Trust in relation to smoking interventions and the detailed programme to identify all patients with tobacco dependency and offer specialist interventions for all in-patients.  It was noted that additional funding had been available to recruit additional specialist public health staff to support this work.

Members highlighted the need to support staff and welcomed the focus on staff wellbeing and addressing health inequalities in relation to staff health and wellbeing.  There was also some discussion about whether the Trust would be extending this approach to commissioned services and contractors.  It was agreed that this would be raised with the relevant Director and that there may be a way to increase promotion of staff health and wellbeing with commissioned services via the Better Health at Work Award.

Members highlighted the importance of considering new forms of inequality and in particular the digital divide and inequalities in accessing digital healthcare.  It was highlighted that this is something that is important to consider and that the Trust are aware of.  However it has also been the case that increased use of technology has been beneficial for some people have found it easier to access healthcare through increased use of technology, such as the self-employed and those without easy access to transport.

Members thanked the representatives of Northumbria Healthcare Trust for attending the meeting and for the informative presentation.