Agenda item

To receive an update on the impact of Covid-19 on health inequalities and risks in relation to Health and Wellbeing priorities.

The Board received a report from the Director of Public Health at Hampshire County Council and the Strategic Leadership Sponsor for the Board.  Members received an overview on health inequalities and risks, outcomes, approach in relation to the impact of Covid-19. 

The Integrated Care System plans going forward will consider inequalities and differences in health across population to best determine where to focus efforts.  Similarly, the Health and Wellbeing Board strategy aims to address inequalities and gaps based on age, gender, ethnicity, access to healthcare, disparities, etc. alongside the impact of Covid to work with communities to provide support and address poor outcomes.

In response to questions, Members heard:

Sophisticated risk assessment profiles considering age, ethnicity, gender, and underlying health issues are used to protect NHS colleagues and determine where and how they work.

Healthwatch colleagues understand the consideration of excess deaths and the importance of collaboration and support for the council in addressing any issues.  Current number of excess deaths are low and will need to be reviewed over a longer period.  Resources will be circulated to Board Members following the meeting.

The effect of the move to digital health care access and exploring how to further this work will be critical.  Unpaid carers have been struggling with increasing issues about lack of support and will need further help.  A further and recent report about informal carers will be circulated to Members following the meeting - 92 million hours of unpaid care were provided to people with needs across England, on top of routine unpaid hours, a truly astounding amount of time and dedication.

Health care has changed more in the last 6 months than over the last 20 years and this work has been of much value.  Good Wifi connection to access digital services will be key, ideally fibre optic to the front door especially in rural Hampshire.

Excess deaths not attributed to Covid in care home settings will be critically important to understand but will need to be reviewed over time.  Work has been commissioned with partners to better understand the situation and will be shared with colleagues.

While there were challenges with face to face engagement, the digital revolution has been inclusive and reached a broader population.  There is an increased awareness for identifying digitally excluded people and particular areas or pockets where deprivation is a factor, and an onus on organizations to reach out to these communities to address concerns in a joint up way.  

Connecting with groups harder to connect with due to excess Covid risks will be key to work through any resurgence.  Care services are open with a triage system in place and easier in many ways, but challenges remain with safe in-person visits.  Staff in primary care have also been reassessed and enabled due to the ability to work remotely with video consultations and access to patient records.  Work is being done to ensure that people are no longer afraid of trying to come forward and this must continue.

While there have been inequalities in primary care access and challenges around digital consults, late diagnoses, etc. for some, there have been different thresholds of accessing services.  The next step is to address the concerns of those exacerbated by lack of access.

Not leaving communities behind, building health resilience, disease prevention, and preventing ill health are ongoing priorities.  The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment will also be refreshed in light of Covid for awareness of changes in need and up-to-date, longer term data.

RESOLVED:   

That the Health and Wellbeing Board--

·         Noted the inequalities and health and wellbeing impact of COVID-19 to the residents of Hampshire.