i.              Health Lives Update

A report is attached for information.

Contact: Val Cross

ii.            Social Prescribing update

A report is attached and a presentation will be given.

Contact: Jo Robins

i.          Healthy Lives Update

Val Cross, the Healthy Lives Coordinator introduced and amplified her report (copy attached to the signed Minutes) which provided the Board with an update on the Healthy Lives programme, including information about the ‘Challenge Fund’ bid, carers work, operational meetings, publicity and specific programme updates.

The Healthy Lives Coordinator drew attention to the unsuccessful bid for challenge funding, the ongoing work to implement the All-Age Carers Strategy and Action Plan and the work undertaken to develop a brand for Healthy Lives.

          RESOLVED:  That the contents of the report be noted.

ii.         Social Prescribing update

Jo Robins, the Consultant in Public Health introduced and amplified her report (copy attached to the signed Minutes) which provided an update on progress and outlined the ambitions for the future.  She then gave a presentation (copy of slides attached to the signed Minutes) which covered the following areas:

·         New Opportunities;

·         The Challenges across the system in Shropshire;

·         The Shropshire Approach / Local Context;

·         Social Prescribing – How can it help?

·         Shropshire Model – Holistic;

·         The Social Prescribing Advisor role;

·         Measures being used;

·         Impact including GP feedback;

·         Interim findings and Early evaluation data;

The Chairman was pleased that the programme had continued to grow and confirmed that the Board continued to support it.

Jackie Jeffrey from the VCSA welcomed the approach and the opportunities to collaborate but was concerned that it moved the pressure from primary care on to the voluntary sector which received no funding.  In response, the Consultant in Public Health explained that the voluntary sector were being supported and it was hoped to find potential sources of funding for the sector to access.  The Accountable Officer stated that he was not in a position to commit any money from the CCG.

The Director of Adult Services was very supportive of this model but felt that more focused was needed on prevention.  The Chairman assured the meeting that the Board would keep a watchful eye on progress, especially in relation to funding.

RESOLVED:

1.    That endorsement for a system wide approach to social prescribing which builds
       on the good practice in place and expands the model as part of the Healthy Lives
       Programme be sought.

2.    That a joint partnership funding stream to achieve the expansion of the existing
       social prescribing model be identified.