Agenda item

To receive an overview on the three different aspects in relation to COVID-19: the pandemic context, the impact on health and wellbeing, and the development of Outbreak Control Plans.

The Board received a report from the Director of Public Health at Hampshire County Council.  Members heard regarding the first wave of the virus, what the second wave may look like, the R value and how it is used.  It is difficult to construct one for Hampshire or small geographies, in relation to the spread of infection.  Currently, the R value is low due to high levels of lockdown compliance. 

Measures are now being eased and further non-pharmaceutical interventions in place.  More children are now in school, and more businesses and places are open for a better economy but with a careful balance.  Testing is now available for anyone with symptoms and mitigation in place to address impacts on physical and mental health during the lockdown.  There has been greater responsibility and ability to direct resources to where they are delivery is needed.  It is unlikely though that a vaccine will be available in the immediate future.

In response to questions, Members heard:

Based on modelling, there is a chance of a second wave later in the year, combined with winter pressures.  The Board has a strong role in encouraging flu vaccines. 

While there had been a delay in sharing contact tracing data with local government, these issues are being resolved.  There has been a higher volume of testing and a better sense of capacity needed.  The microbiology team at the Trust have been working hard running a 20-minute test using a lab in a van.  It is accurate and there is a pilot now for practical logistics to serve care homes, etc. although the weather does affect testing.  The saliva test is more user friendly and being tested in Southampton in a partnership with Southampton University. 

Track and trace systems have been developed.  Work is now in progress closely across systems and linking in with outbreak control boards, districts, and boroughs to develop an agile framework to manage at a local level.

Public Health and integrated care partnerships play a key role managing outbreaks and the contact tracing funding allocation is a critical piece.

Local data from a variety of sources were initially slow in coming through but is now being received regularly by post code. 

The outbreak plan includes seven themes to lead on as outlined in the paper.  These cover care homes, schools, quick response, numerous complicated diverse high-risk settings, learning from others, testing and contact testing, working to prevent further spread, and support shielded, vulnerable people.

Facilitating information sharing and collaboration between local care partnerships and boards will allow systems to work together to support vulnerable residents or manage issues in specific patches in a more joined up way with stronger NHS links. 

A significant amount of work is underway with shielded patients and those with vulnerabilities (including Black and Minority Ethnicities (BAME), age, multi-morbidities, etc.)   As residents are getting out more often, work needs to be done to keep them safe in the event of a second wave. 

Colleagues from the voluntary sector have been supporting communities and the consistent challenges they have faced has included lack of involvement in planning for next period and further outbreaks, safely relaunching the services they run, and financial duress – real concerns that will need addressing.  They have played an important part with a focus on response to Covid rather than those that generate income but lacked early sight on planning during the response.  Recovery for the voluntary sector and wider health impact to ensure a strong community going forwards will require a holistic approach and assistance with the complicated guidance. 

One impact of the virus is the way services will continue to be delivered into the future and it will be important to proceed cautiously.  Engagement results from the public regarding access to information, experiences, and ease of accessing services for mental and physical health, as well support from voluntary organizations will be important to consider.  Impact on the BAME population, while not large in Hampshire is still vital.  Socially distancing and regulating air pollution to decrease virus spreading while encouraging walking and cycling options could help alongside emergency measures and response for outbreak control.  Funds have been allocated for road conversions and other opportunities to benefit health.  The disparities report was not out at the time of publishing, but it is important to consider and plan for preventing further impact of Covid. 

General Practitioners (GPs) have remained open offering triage digitally or by telephone, and dental practices have offered minimal services due to risks but gradually reopening.  There have been difficulties for some people not able to access services physically or virtually.  There are new communications coming forward soon in collaboration with Citizen’s Assembly.

The Leader of Hampshire County Council noted that Public Health leadership played a key role in success and that the new normal would look different when it came to transportation.  People have just gotten on and helped each other, friends and neighbours.  The funding issues highlighted for charities have been noted.  Difficult situations require a clear idea of objectives and in this case, it was to reduce the spread of the virus.  Future outbreaks are possible and hot spots must be identified and quickly resolved.  Communication and interchange will remain vitally important and the use of technology has been a way forwards for working together to ensure Hampshire has had good results. 

The Executive Member for Public Health endorsed regular communications and discussion to get simple and important messages out to residents.  It is important to support the economy, but there needs to be absolute clarity and consistent joint up messaging.

Helpful feedback, community engagement, and communication are key elements. The final aspect is evaluating the impact in the context of health and wellbeing, physical and mental health.  This is still in the early stages and an ongoing piece of work, to be followed up with further reports back with more data and analysis. 

RESOLVED: 

That the Health and Wellbeing Board--

• Noted the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic 
• Noted the impact on Health and Wellbeing and the need to monitor outcomes and take work forward to tackle the impact reviewing service development plans.  
• Noted the development of Outbreak Control Plan