Addressing key health issues for the people of Cambridge
Health seminar in Cambridge results in shared commitment around moving forward to address some of the key health issues for the people of Cambridge.
A seminar hosted by Cambridge City Council with colleagues from the local Clinical Commissioning Group and Public Health, with support from the East of England Local Government Association, resulted in a consensus and shared commitment around moving forward to address some of the key health issues for the people of Cambridge. Delegates were able to meet each other, many for the first time to find out about their organisations and to think about partnership working going forward.
Following opening remarks and introductions, Councillor Sian Reid gave an overview of the role and functions of Cambridge City Council, mentioning a number of council services that have a significant impact on the wider determinants of health. Background notes were distributed to support the seminar giving examples of joint work the council has been involved in on health projects previously, setting out in summary form the things the Council does that impact on health, describing the work the City Council does with vulnerable people alongside a useful document setting out the overall role and functions of local Government at all levels.
Dr Geraldine Linehan (Chair of the CCG) then gave a helpful presentation on the evolution and emergence of GP commissioning in the Cambridge area and the roles and priorities for the Clinical Commissioning Group. Dr Liz Robin (director of Public Health) followed this and explained the development of the Shadow Health & Wellbeing Board and Network in Cambridgeshire.
Finally, Councillor Tim Bick proposed a way forward for a Local Health Partnership for Cambridge and some of his thoughts about how this could work in practice.
After the break, Dr Arnold Fertig shared some remarks and reflections, and then facilitated a discussion on the issues raised by the presentations. Colleagues referred to the evidence contained in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment of key issues for the city, and noted the 8 year difference in life expectancy between wards within the city. The scale of the challenge on smoking and obesity, for instance, was noted, as well as ageing.
It was agreed that the city had distinct needs and issues from the rural parts of the County, and that tough choices would be needed to focus effort on those issues where we could add most value by working in partnership together. It was noted that there had been examples of such partnership working already, for instance in reducing alcohol-related violent crime by 25% in the past four years. The potential to engage residents in public health issues through their contact with the hospital, for instance, was commented on.
It was agreed that the Local Health Partnership should have a relatively small, focussed core membership (with an over-seeing role, communicating and connecting), with a wide range of stakeholders and partners engaged through project teams. The partnership would focus on a small number of strategic issues where it could make a difference (low bureaucracy and high impact). Self-management and providing residents with the information to make informed choices about their health was recognised as important. The city council's area committees were highlighted as a fora to consider local health issues, and that GPs could engage with these. It was noted that the new communities being built on the fringe of the city provided a rare, one-off opportunity to design and build healthy lifestyles in from the outset.
Next steps - it was agreed that a small group would get together to discuss the formation of the Local Health Partnership. This would comprise the executive councillor from the City Council plus one or two GP reps and has since been initiated.
Further information:
Andrew Limb , Head of Corporate Strategy, Cambridge City Council 01223 457004