Agenda item

The Panel will receive an update from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) on current issues.

Lucy Baker, BANES Place Director, BSW ICB addressed the Panel. She announced that a 45 day consultation would commence on March 18^th 2026 regarding restructuring proposals within the ICB.

BSW Integrated Care Board Five Year Strategic Commissioning Plan

BSW ICB has developed a new five year -year plan setting out how we will further transform health services over the next five years, working as part of a new cluster with Dorset and Somerset Integrated Care Boards.

The plan takes forward the work previously set out in the BSW Integrated Care Partnership strategy, and articulated in our BSW Care Model, and now incorporates the ambitions articulated in the last year’s national NHS Ten Year Plan.

Kingfisher Unit update

This is a new ten bed specialist learning disability and autism inpatient and outreach service located at the Blackberry Hill Hospital site in Fishponds, Bristol. The service is a key part of regional plans to increase specialist inpatient capacity and improve admission pathways across the South West.

Recently, there was a flood at The Kingfisher which has caused significant damage to the building. This is going to delay the completion of the build, its handover and ultimately its opening to patients. This is really disappointing for everyone who has been involved in the project so far, and those who have been preparing to commence work within the new service.

The project team have been working with construction partners since the flood was discovered to get a clearer understanding of how much damage has been caused, and the remedial work required. It is essential that this assessment is detailed and thorough and when finalised, it should give us the clarity required to help us plan a revised completion, handover and opening timetable.

Oral health and dental update

BSW ICB remains committed to establishing a network of local mobile dental clinics that will make accessing dentistry easier and more convenient for people living in all parts of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

Our Big Brush Club supervised toothbrushing scheme is commissioned by the ICB and supported by BSW’s three local authorities and delivered in schools by professionals. It aims to tackle deteriorating rates of oral health among disadvantaged young people. We are awaiting information on current activity and will offer an update at the next meeting.

We can confirm that there is no contractual requirement for promotion in dental practices as per a previous query but this will be reviewed with public health colleagues moving forward to explore any opportunities.

Termination of Pregnancy information

The update in the agenda pack summarised activity across BSW and included the British Pregnancy Advisory Services (BPAS) and Marie Stopes International. It focussed on the use of early medical abortion (EMA) through telemedicine/pills by post, a service allowing people to receive medication for an early medical abortion (up to 10 weeks gestation) via mail, after a phone or video consultation with a provider. It also included the number of patients requiring treatment beyond 10 weeks’ gestation, and the age profile of people accessing termination services.

Councillor Joanna Wright asked how the pregnancy termination figures for the BSW ICB area compares with other areas.

Lucy Baker replied that it was just below the national average.

Councillor Wright noted that the age bracket of 25 – 36 was the highest for using these services and asked if that cohort specifically would have access to relevant information on this matter.

The Consultant in Public Health replied that there was good awareness and access to these services throughout BANES.

Councillor Wright asked if it was known how much funding NHS Dentists within BANES had returned within the past financial year.

Lucy Baker replied that she did not have that information to hand but would seek it for the Panel.

Councillor Michael Auton commented that he understood the need to provide a ‘consistent digital offer’ but was concerned that older residents should not become disenfranchised.

Lucy Baker replied that support will be provided to residents that may struggle with digital access and said that as part of the Neighbourhood Plan a number of workshops would be held in April / May.

Councillor Auton asked if any further cohorts have been considered for public engagement with regard to Neighbourhood Health.

Lucy Baker replied that they were in the process of working with the Community Wellbeing Hub to establish which groups to next involve.

Councillor Auton asked if it was known which schools did or did not take part in the ‘Big Brush Club’ and whether there was anything the Council / Councillors could do to encourage participation.

Lucy Baker replied that she would attempt to find out this information and reply to the Panel.

Councillor Auton asked if individual carers were offered any support in terms of access to vaccinations.

Lucy Baker replied that a broad level of support was available and would enquire if any specific measures were available.

Councillor David Harding asked if there were plans to bring the Blood Pressure Roadshows to the rural areas of BANES.

Lucy Baker replied that there are plans to expand the project into a whole Local Authority offer in the long term.

Councillor Harding asked if the North East Somerset areas of the Council would be part of the review to ascertain which areas would benefit most from mobile dental clinics.

Lucy Baker replied that they would and said that this remained a priority for the ICB.

Councillor Bharat Pankhania said that it was important that the Panel knows the state of play in terms of what access residents have to emergency contraceptives.

The Consultant in Public Health replied that there was a local contract in place for EHC (Emergency Hormonal Contraception) and that this would be available through most pharmacies, their local doctor or the Riverside Clinic.

Councillor Pankhania stated that it was very important for all children to have dental provision provided to them through the NHS.

Lucy Baker replied that this was acknowledged as a top priority on a national level and would provide regular updates to the Panel.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked if any update could be provided on the recent norovirus cases in the local area.

Lucy Baker replied that she was aware of the recent incident at the RUH and said that the hospital was open and operating on a business-as-usual basis.

The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, thanked Lucy for the update provided.