Jane Itangata, Senior Commissioning Officer, Clinical Commissioning Group, introduced the report that as of 1 April 2017, the Clinical Commissioning Group would enter into co-commissioning arrangements with the National Health Service Public Health England to deliver the Learning Disability Health Checks. This had facilitated the opportunity for an alternative service to undertake health checks for people who cannot access these from their general practitioner surgeries.

This co-commissioning between National Health Service England and Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group had provided the opportunity to use evidence and co-production techniques to design the approaches that would enhance activities to support the health check delivery and create sustainable arrangements that would be maintained to ensure adequate coverage for delivery of quality health checks and implementation of subsequent plans.

Annual Learning Disability Health Checks are available for anyone with a learning disability who was aged 14 years of age or over. Under the Directed Enhanced Service all general practitioners contract holders across Midlands and East (East) would be given the opportunity to provide Learning Disability Health Checks.

Jane Itangata reported that as of 15 March 2017 the coverage of health checks was 63 per cent of eligible people having had their health checks completed with a target of 70 per cent by the end of the year.

The Chair thanked Officers for the clear improvement and the considerable work that had been undertaken.

Councillor Watkins questioned what work was being undertaken with Thurrock residents in schools outside the borough and how would work be carried out with those schools. Jane Itangata stated that this was work in progress work alongside HealthWatch and would start with the schools more aware of and then move out to outer borough schools. Jane Itangata explained to Members that data was manually collated as data supplied by National Health England was not always up to date and a proper picture would not be formed. Manual collated included ringing surgeries to encourage general practitioners to update their records.

Councillor Snell commented that the report demonstrated another Thurrock success and a good news update.

Councillor Collins asked Officers to explain a Health Action Plan. Jane Itangata stated that any young person or adult with learning disabilities should have a Health Action Plan. These are prepared by a doctor, nurse or health worker or supported who help at home.

Neil Woodbridge stated that Essex Police as part of the Advisory Panel were offering “Ride Along Scheme” to improve public trust and confidence in Essex Police by ensuring the processes and procedures are transparent were allowing members of the public the opportunity to observe everyday policing activities. Members can contact Neil Woodbridge directly if interested.

Mandy Ansell updated Members on the work undertaken by Jane Itangata and Mark Tebbs with Essex Police on the procedure that from the 1 April 2017 anyone picked up with mental health issues or challenging behaviour would not be placed in police cells and that designated nurses would accompany Essex Police on these call outs. It was also noted that the Home Office had commented on the work done in Thurrock.

The Chair requested the Learning Disability Health Checks be added to the work programme for the next municipal year 2017/18.

RESOLVED

That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the progress made on the work plan to improve the quality and uptake of health checks by people with Learning Disabilities in Thurrock.