The Lewisham Health and Well-Being Board convened to discuss several key initiatives, including updates on health inequalities, flu vaccination campaigns, sexual health strategies, and the implementation of the NHS 10-Year Plan. The board approved the Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley and Bexley sexual health strategy, and delegated approval of the neighbourhood health plan to the chair of the board. Members also received updates on the Birmingham Lewisham African Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR), the flu vaccination campaign, and the Better Care Fund.

NHS 10-Year Plan: Fit for the Future

The board discussed the NHS (National Health Service) 10-Year Plan, focusing on its implications for Lewisham. Kerry, whose last name and title were not provided, presented the plan's three main shifts:

• From acute care to community-based care
• From analogue to digital services
• From treatment to prevention

Kerry noted that the plan emphasises neighbourhood-level healthcare and requires the development of a neighbourhood health plan under the Health and Well-Being Board's leadership. Due to tight deadlines for submitting the plan, the board delegated its approval to the chair, with the understanding that the plan would align with Lewisham's existing health and well-being strategy and local care partnership plan.

Michael Kerin supported the chair's action but stressed the importance of public engagement in the planning process, in line with the plan's core purpose of empowering patients. He also highlighted the need to address digital exclusion to ensure equitable access to services.

Denise Radley emphasised the importance of shifting funding from acute services to community-based care to support prevention and proactive healthcare.

A member of the public raised concerns about the NHS's reactive approach to healthcare and the need for more emphasis on preventative measures. They also highlighted the importance of addressing social determinants of health and ensuring access to services for vulnerable groups.

Flu Vaccination and Winter Readiness

The board received an update on the flu vaccination campaign and winter readiness efforts. Laura Jenner, Director of System Development, and Catherine Kerner, Consultant in Public Health at the Council, presented the report, detailing strategies to increase vaccination uptake, particularly among those over 65 and vulnerable populations.

The campaign included targeted work with community groups in North Lewisham and Sevenfields, GP engagement, and a communications campaign featuring the young mayor and other local figures. The board also heard about innovative approaches such as training matrons to administer vaccines on wards and exploring the use of a chatbot to answer questions about vaccination.

Catherine Kerner reported promising early results, with significant improvements in vaccination rates among pregnant women and smaller gains in other key groups.

Several members offered feedback and suggestions for improving the campaign, including:

• Learning from the success of the maternity team's engagement strategies
• Sustaining efforts beyond a single year to achieve lasting behaviour change
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy through trusted community leaders
• Tailoring messaging to different languages and cultures
• Ensuring access to vaccinations for care home residents and other vulnerable groups

Councillor Paul Bell, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, stressed the importance of framing vaccinations as a means of strengthening the immune system and protecting against illness.

Birmingham Lewisham African Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR) Update

The board received an update on the implementation of the Birmingham Lewisham African Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR). Catherine Kerner introduced the update, highlighting three focus areas: Lewisham Health Equity Teams, maternity opportunities for action, and cancer screening.

Lewisham Health Equity Teams

Dr. Amin O'Berati, a GP at Deptford Surgery, presented on the Lewisham Health Equity Teams programme, which partners GPs with voluntary community sector organisations to address health inequalities at a local level. The first cycle of the programme saw the recruitment of over 80 community champions and reached more than 2,500 residents. Projects included health fairs, HIV stigma training, and culturally competent group consultations for people living with type 2 diabetes.

The second cycle of the programme will focus specifically on cardiovascular disease and will include centralised recruitment and training, capacity building support for voluntary community sector organisations, and the development of PCN-level data packs.

Dr. Amin O'Berati highlighted the challenges of partnership working and co-production, as well as the need to ensure the sustainability of voluntary community sector organisations involved in the programme.

Maternity Opportunities for Action

Shirley Peterson, Director of Midwifery at Lewisham and Greenwich, and Joanne Burton, Consultant Midwife across LGT, presented on the work being done to improve access and equality in maternity services. Initiatives included publicising the healthcare travel costs scheme, developing resources on financial aid, rolling out a maternity disadvantage assessment tool, and providing cultural humility training for staff.

The trust has also co-produced non-English speaking antenatal classes, improved screening processes, embedded the Tommy's app, and worked with local food banks and other organisations to support vulnerable women.

Neil Goulbourne praised the team's commitment to the agenda and asked how that commitment could be spread to other parts of the health and care system. Shirley Peterson attributed the success to ongoing collaboration with women and birthing people, while Joanne Burton emphasised the trust's focus on putting women at the centre of care.

Cancer Screening

Catherine Kerner briefly mentioned actions taken to improve cancer screening rates.

Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley and Bexley Sexual Health Strategy

The board approved the Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley and Bexley sexual health strategy. The strategy builds on previous collaborations and focuses on:

• Promoting healthy sexual relationships
• Improving reproductive health
• Reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections
• Preventing and living well with HIV

The strategy aims to minimise variation in sexual health services across the five boroughs and will inform a local action plan in Lewisham.

Councillor Paul Bell noted the importance of the strategy in addressing HIV rates and ensuring access to services for all residents.

Better Care Fund

Kerry provided a brief update on the Better Care Fund, a programme designed to support the integration of health and social care services. No specific issues were raised.