This meeting focused largely on an update on how the Better Outcomes Better Lives Transformation programme and Adult Social Care Commissioning are progressing. The report referenced a new team, which has been established alongside the contact centre called Adult Early Support Team (AEST). This new team includes adult social care, occupational therapy and Manchester Mind. An initial test of this approach has been delivered in Ancoats, Clayton and Bradford neighbourhoods. As a result, the INT has seen a 58% decrease in the number of calls, which is being viewed as people receiving the most appropriate care on initial contact.
Part of the work of Better Outcomes Better Lives has been the development of the VCSE sector Innovations Labs, which is series of conversations between Adult Social Care and VCSE organisations. Darren Knight, CEO of George House Trust, who has been working on the commissioning plan delivery group, which is integral to the programme as a whole, spoke at the meeting. He made clear he was not a representative but a voice from a VCSE organisation. Darren stated that these sessions have been adult conversations to discuss the challenges, system pressures, VCSE pressures and how relationships between statutory services and VCSE organisations can be strengthened by respectfully challenging each other and focusing on realistic outcomes. Darren emphasised the importance of telling people what has changed as part of this engagement and plan and adopting a co-design, production approach and truly valuing people sharing their lived experience to help inform decision making in the city.
David Regan, Director of Public Health, explained that former Covid Health Equity Boards, now known as Community Health Equity Boards, are being used to identify gaps in proper recording, specifically in relation to ethnicity. You can access the report here: https://democracy.manchester.gov.uk/documents/s40602/BOBL%20and%20Commissioning.pdf
This meeting did also include a report from the Manchester Safeguarding Partnership. The report provided was for 2021-22 as the 2022-23 report has been delayed due to staff issues and the impacts of Covid. The new report is expected to include a new strategic plan, which will have an emphasis on a co-productive approach.
You can access the recording of the June Health Scrutiny Committee meeting here - https://vimeo.com/showcase/7723560/video/834799180
To access meeting papers visit: https://democracy.manchester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=4413&Ver=4
If you would like to attend or speak at a Health Scrutiny Committee meeting, contact Lee Walker at [email protected].