Agenda item

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

Lucy Baker, B&NES Place Director, BSW ICB addressed the Panel and highlighted the following areas from the update.

Dentistry

·  She gave confirmation and assurance that any NHS funding returned by dentists is recycled for further procurement and commissioning and that all such funding is fully committed.

Blood pressure roadshows in B&NES

·  Work is currently underway to explore opportunities to extend this activity beyond Bath city centre, including potential locations in more rural communities across B&NES such as the Somer Valley and surrounding areas. This approach aims to improve reach and accessibility, particularly in areas where residents may experience barriers to routine health checks.

Neighbourhood Health Planning: Progress in B&NES

·  BSW ICB and B&NES partners are actively developing a locality Neighbourhood Health Plan, led through the Integrated Care Alliance (ICA) and Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB). The Plan will set out how services are organised around defined neighbourhoods of approximately 30,000 to 50,000 people, with Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) bringing together general practice, community health services, social care, VCSE partners and local community assets.

·  Community INT mobilisation commenced from April 2026 under the ICBC contract with HCRG. In BaNES, the initial focus is on high priority cohorts: people with moderate to severe frailty, care home residents, and those who are housebound or approaching end of life.

NHS 111 Press 2 – Mental Health Call Handling - New Interim Call Handling Arrangement

·  Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) are engaging an external partner under a PSR (provider selection regime) direct award contract for up to 12 months to undertake the NHS 111-2 call handling function for Bath, Swindon, and Wiltshire.

·  This arrangement enables us to stabilise the service, strengthen governance, and apply established, evidence-based processes to clinical decision-making.

·  The revised model provides enhanced oversight and assurance regarding the quality and safety of care delivered via additional and more structured clinical audit processes. Furthermore, the new model will provide better data quality to help inform future decision-making.

·  The added functionality provided by engaging with an external partner will also allow for wider integration into the physical health 111 service and other emergency response processes. This will support professional callers to access the right advice and guidance in a timely manner, but also service users to get the right response for their needs at the right time.

Kingfisher Unit - Revised opening date

·  Earlier this year, AWP reported a significant flood within the building which caused extensive damage on the ground floor. This required detailed investigation and specialist assessments to understand the long-term implications. This work has now been completed, with all damaged materials removed and the drying process underway.

·  AWP’s contractor has now confirmed that they expect to hand the completed building over on 17 August. Following this, AWP will begin the necessary preparations for operational use and anticipates that the building will open and receive its first patient on 5 October 2026.

Response to Meningitis outbreak in Kent

·  While there were no cases in Bath or North East Somerset, health services in the area were fully briefed and part of a general response to the outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent.

·  GP services were able to offer MenB vaccinations upon request to eligible patients who could not access vaccination at local vaccination clinics at the University of Kent, for example, because they had returned home from campus for the Easter holidays.

·  Parents were also urged to keep an eye out for symptoms of meningococcal disease and septicaemia among children and to seek urgent medical attention if symptoms were identified.

New service identity for BSW Community Health

·  HCRG Care Group has launched a new service identity for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Community Health, alongside a series of key improvements to how people and professionals access care. This includes the introduction of a Single Point of Access, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, and a Digital Front Door. Together, these changes are designed to make services easier to navigate, support earlier intervention, and deliver more coordinated, person-centred care closer to home.

·  In Bath and North East Somerset specifically, this work has been supported by the Corporate Communications Manager at Bath & North East Somerset Council, helping to ensure strong local alignment and visibility.

·  This is an ongoing programme of engagement, and HCRG are continuing to work closely with stakeholders to communicate these changes. The provider will maintain a sustained communications effort over the coming weeks to build awareness, support adoption and ensure that both residents and partners are confident in accessing and referring into services.

The Chair asked if the Community Health work would yet include Dorset.

Lucy Baker replied that at this stage it would not.

Councillor David Harding asked if the dangers of vape sharing have been communicated as part of the actions in connection with the recent Meningitis outbreak.

The Interim Director of Public Health replied that it was unclear at present as to whether this was a direct cause and said that the action of vaping has its own risks in causing damage to the throat. He added that the local universities have been highlighting potential risks and guidance to students.

Councillor Joanna Wright asked if the amount of dentist funding returned was known.

Lucy Baker replied that she would seek to confirm the actual amount on behalf of the Panel.

Councillor Wright raised the matter of alleged misogyny within the NHS. She said that she had been made aware by some female residents that having approached their GP regarding iron deficiency they had been advised to take iron supplements rather than having iron administered intravenously through an iron infusion. She asked if the ICB were aware of such complaints and had any figures relating to this.

Lucy Baker replied that she was unsure as to the data that would be held on this issue, but would relay the point to colleagues. She added that a National Women’s Health Strategy had recently been launched.

Kevin Burnett referred to the clustering arrangements for the ICB and asked what key points were being considered when deciding between Dorset and South Gloucestershire.

Lucy Baker replied that regular conversations on this matter are held between the ICB and the Local Authority as to what the impacts could be.

The Director of People added that the future footprint of local services is very much a live topic with conversations taking place between the Council, the ICB and WECA (West of England Combined Authority). He added that the aim will be to seek the best possible services for residents.

Kevin Burnett asked if the Panel’s view would be sought on Local Health Planning.

The Director of People replied that he anticipated that their view would be sought but said that there was not a process or mechanism in place yet to do so.

Councillor Lesley Mansell explained that she had been made aware that some members of the public were struggling to use the new Single Point of Access for Community Health.

Lucy Baker replied that she would welcome receiving additional feedback on this matter and was aware that data is being collected / monitored and said that this would be shared when ready to do so.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson said that she was concerned by these system changes for residents without the necessary IT access or knowledge. She also raised the matter of cancer tests ceasing when over the age of 75 and Covid vaccinations being given to those who are over 75 years of age.

Lucy Baker replied that a phoneline is still available for use for residents who do not have access to the internet and said that not all services would be solely accessible through the Digital Front Door.

She added that decisions relating to testing and vaccinations will be made using a clinical evidence base and guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). She said that individual concerns should be raised through their GP.

The Chair asked if there was a national strategy in place for universities and colleges to follow with regard an outbreak of meningitis.

The Interim Director of Public Health replied that he was not aware of an overall strategy and said that since the recent cases a great deal of joint working had been carried out and remains ongoing.

He explained that vaccinations for Meningitis B began in 2015 and was introduced for babies born on or after May 1, 2015.

He stated that it was not easily transmitted and that if cases are found a contact tracing exercise will be put into place.

The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, thanked Lucy Baker for attending and for the update report supplied.