The Health & Wellbeing Board and ICB Sub-Committee (Committees in Common) met on Tuesday 5 November 2024, approving strategies for learning disability and autism, and residents and communities, while also noting progress on an anti-racism strategy and the embedding of the Marmot Review framework. The meeting also received updates on sexual and reproductive health, improving cancer journeys, a public health peer review, and carers' support.

Learning Disability and Autism Strategy for Adults 2024-2029

The committee approved the Learning Disability and Autism Strategy for Adults 2024-2029, which aims to enable residents with a learning disability or autism to lead an ordinary life that supports independence and positive health. The strategy, co-produced with adults with lived experience, focuses on six priority outcomes: feeling safe and accepted; good health; the right support; a good home; more job opportunities; and having friends, relationships, and feeling connected to others. An accompanying action plan outlines specific steps to achieve these outcomes, including staff training, producing clear information, establishing a hub, and co-producing plans and services. The strategy will be overseen by the newly established Learning Disability and Autism Partnership Board.

Residents and Communities Strategy 2024-2029

The Residents and Communities Strategy 2024-2029 was approved, aiming to guide partner activity to achieve the Health and Wellbeing Strategy's priorities of 'Living Well' and 'Ageing Well'. Developed over a year with extensive needs analysis and resident engagement, the strategy sets out five shared system priorities: enhanced local community support and connections; access to activities and support at the right place and time; creating an environment and opportunities that enable health and wellbeing; promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing ill-health and care needs; and fair and equitable opportunities for everyone to live well and achieve their potential. Ongoing work will focus on developing supporting delivery plans and outcome metrics.

North East London ICS Anti-Racism Strategy

The committee noted the development of the draft North East London ICS Anti-Racism Strategy, which aims to build on existing anti-racism work across the system. The strategy focuses on three pillars: Workforce and leadership; Our approach to anti-racism; and Ethnic inequalities in health. Feedback from the committee highlighted the need for clearer articulation of how services will change to meet diverse needs, the importance of including specific frameworks like the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework, and the need to address discrimination against different faith backgrounds. The strategy is intended to be a starting point for further development and refinement.

Embedding the Marmot Review Fair Society, Healthy Lives Framework

Progress and proposed next steps regarding the adoption of the 'Marmot Place' approach were noted. This approach is intended as a long-term strategic framework for addressing health inequalities in Barking and Dagenham, aligning with the council's transformation and localities work. The framework, which originated from Professor Sir Michael Marmot's review, focuses on six policy objectives to reduce health inequalities, including giving every child the best start in life and creating fair employment for all. The committee was informed that a workshop in January 2025 would further discuss the framework's integration with a proposed single place-based outcomes framework.

North East London Joint Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2024-2029

The committee received and noted the North East London Joint Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2024-2029, along with its regional and local action plans. The strategy's vision is to empower residents to lead healthy and fulfilling lives with knowledge and agency to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health, and timely access to high-quality, inclusive, and equitable services. Key priorities include promoting healthy and fulfilling sexual relationships, ensuring good reproductive health across the life course, providing high-quality STI screening and treatment, and working towards zero new HIV transmissions and living well with HIV.

UCLPartners / Macmillan Improving Cancer Journeys Learning Programme

An update was provided on the Improving Cancer Journeys Learning Programme, a collaborative initiative aiming to improve practical, emotional, and physical support for people affected by cancer. The programme focuses on implementing and evaluating integrated approaches to personalised holistic support, with a particular emphasis on addressing inequalities faced by individuals in deprived communities. Barking and Dagenham has been selected as a pilot site due to its high levels of deprivation and a critical mass of cancer activity. The programme seeks to understand the equality implications of personalised support and ensure it contributes to reducing healthcare inequality.

LGA-led Public Health Peer Review

The committee noted the feedback from the Local Government Association (LGA) Public Health Peer Team, who conducted a review in February 2024. The review highlighted strengths in leadership, partnership working, and community engagement, noting the council's strong commitment to health and its innovative approach to place-based working through the Committees in Common. Recommendations included rationalising strategies into a single prioritised delivery plan, further developing joint commissioning, and strengthening data intelligence and locality working. Proposed next steps include embedding a 'Health in All Policies' approach and developing integrated commissioning arrangements.

Carers Charter and Action Plan Update 2023/24

An update was provided on the delivery of the Carers Charter Action Plan for 2023/24. The report highlighted progress in identifying and supporting carers, including hidden carers, through training and a pilot project funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to identify and support carers within acute settings. The update also detailed efforts to support carers' employment and skills, improve access to vaccinations, and conduct carers' assessments. The Homes and Money Hub reported significant income maximisation for carers, and Carers of Barking and Dagenham identified a substantial number of new adult and young carers accessing their services. The committee endorsed the sharing of relevant data by partners to support the action plan's delivery.