NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

 

13 NOVEMBER  2024

 

STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR HEALTH AND ADULT SERVICES

 

 

Director of Public Health Annual Report 23/24

 

The focus of the Director of Public Health Annual Report (DPHAR) for 2023-24 is older people in North Yorkshire. The recently published report explores healthy ageing and what this looks like in North Yorkshire, responding to the projected increase in the older population and the opportunities and challenges that this brings. Built around older people’s voice, and with partner contributions and case studies, the report focuses on the four healthy ageing priorities for North Yorkshire:

 

·         Health & reducing inequalities.

·         Housing

·         Financial security & employment

·         Making North Yorkshire an age-friendly place

 

Older people’s creativity is also showcased through the inclusion of images from the recent ‘Healthy ageing’ photography competition.

 

The report provides recommendations for each of the four priorities, and some overarching ones. It also gives an update on the recommendations from the DPHAR 2022-23, ‘In Our Words: A Child’s Life in North Yorkshire’.

 

The report is accompanied by an interactive dashboard so that people can review data for their area and explore local trends further.

 

The DPHAR an independent report on the health of the local population. The DPH has a duty to write an annual report, with the local authority having a duty to publish it.

 

Launch of the Involvement Framework

 

Health and Adult Services has recently launched an Involvement Framework that has been co-produced with people with lived and living experience.  People are experts in their own lives and their voices must be at the heart of the work we do.  The framework has been developed from the perspective that only by listening to and working with people and communities, can we design and deliver effective, high-quality services in North Yorkshire.

 

The purpose of this framework is to support Health and Adult Services to embed good involvement practice and to set out what people and communities can expect from us. It applies across both public health and adult social care, and its principles will inform the standards we expect from services we commission.  It focuses on how we involve people and communities in ‘what we do and the way we do it’, including our strategies, policies, and culture, and how our services and support are designed, commissioned, and delivered. It sits alongside the Council’s Engagement Promise and a range of other frameworks in the Directorate including our Adult Social Care Practice Framework, which sets out our approach on an individual level to working alongside and not ‘doing to’ people.

 

Women’s Health Event

 

Over 150 people attended the first Women’s Health Event for North Yorkshire on the 15th October.  This event was organised in the light of the publication of the national Women’s Health Strategy led by Dame Lesley Regan. The event marks a pivotal moment for North Yorkshire as we work towards a comprehensive women’s health plan.  The insights and passion shared by all participants and keynote speakers underscore the need to address health inequalities and ensure that women’s and girls' health remains a top priority.

 

County Councils Network (CCN) - Newton Working Age Project

 

North Yorkshire has been one of 16 organisations involved in a study which the CCN has undertaken to look at future need, and cost of care for working age adults including young people moving into adulthood from children’s services.  The report is likely to make some significant recommendations and is expected to be published in November.

 

Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM)

 

North Yorkshire has successfully applied to become a Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) Approach Network Partner.  MEAM is a coalition of national charities - MEAM, Mind, Homeless Link and Clinks - formed to support the public and charity sector to strengthen policy and service responses to people who experience multiple disadvantage – typically a combination of substance use, housing needs, physical and mental health needs and offending.

 

The council and key partners including Probation, Police, North Yorkshire Horizons, North Yorkshire Connected Spaces and the voluntary sector will work with MEAM over the next two years on an initiative in Harrogate to collectively strengthen the approach, experience and outcomes for people who experience multiple disadvantage, and it is expected that the learnings will be used across the county.

 

Independent Care Group Contract

 

The Council has recently concluded a procurement exercise to appoint a care market representative.

 

The role of the care market representative is to collaborate with the wide range of adult social care providers and wider stakeholders supporting the people of North Yorkshire. It should encourage the development of the care industry across North Yorkshire and nationally and it should represent the interests of all independent care providers, including voluntary sector providers, in North Yorkshire.

 

The successful organisation is the Independent Care Group who are an established care association and have operated across North Yorkshire for many years and I look forward to continuing to work with them.

 

 

 

 

COUNCILLOR MICHAEL HARRISON