This report is a joint verbal update provided by the Strategic Director of Social Care and Co-Chair of the Integrated Care Partnership about how the cost-of-living crisis is expected to affect the health of borough residents and what steps the council and NHS are taking to support residents and lessen the impact.
Minutes:
Councillor Coleman introduced the item which addressed socioeconomic concerns following the emerging cost of living crisis and which was likely to become more severe, impacting on the health and wellbeing of vulnerable communities. Lisa Redfern explained that this was a timely discussion given the issues around winter pressures and discharge to assess. Councillor Harvey outlined the work being planned and the progress in providing support for residents who would be experiencing huge financial concerns. The council hoped to work with advice and faith forums who had reported an increase in the number of people that they were seeing for a range of reasons. The intention was then to work with local businesses and to bring these different organisations together at a public conference. A final layer of work would be to identify community-based support hubs that could offer warmth or food.
Phillipa Johnson explained that they were engaged in ongoing conversations and activities to support residents and to ensure that the NHS workforce was sighted on this work. There was an opportunity to educate the workforce and signpost what support was available. They were looking at population health and identifying the communities that will be greatly affected. They were also working Giles Percy and Dr Chad Hockey to support people in the north of the borough through the winter. Gathering intelligence data from Imperial and CLCH would hopefully underpin the need to protect the NHS workforce, so they were better placed to support residents. It was recognised that these were ideas that were at the development stage, for example, swapping goods, advice, or support for those experiencing hardship.
It was important to review and ensure that there was a sensible offer in the borough and co-design this in partnership. Discussing the use of vouchers and payment schemes for heating it was important to be aware of all the support that was available. Lisa Redfern confirmed that good communications messaging was important so that staff were well informed, for example maximising contact with residents. Councillor Harvey confirmed that the first event would be taking place on 7October and would involve voluntary and community charitable organisations and there would be future events that were planned for November, which would also include the NHS workforce.
Sue Spiller commented that small voluntary sector groups would struggle to meet the cost of heat, utilities and that this might have a direct impact on clients. The same applied to smaller or independent businesses.
Councillor Perez enquired about actions to support those who were digitally excluded and what the timing was in terms of collaboration to provide support, recognising that the autumn/winter period would be coming up soon. Councillor Harvey responded that work was in progress, the council maintained a household discretionary fund and a fuel bank was also accessible through the welfare rights team. Councillor Perez suggested that information was shared with GP practices to better signpost referral pathways more effectively. Lisa Redfern confirmed that it was crucial to share information about what the council and local NHS providers.
Councillor Rowbottom suggested that empty buildings could be utilised, and Nadia Taylor asked what practical support could be provided to people. Warwickshire County Council was offering a small amount of money to those in receipt of pension credit, in addition to money and food vouchers provided by the Department of Works and Pensions. Councillor Coleman recognised how emotive this issue was and invited members to contribute ideas and suggestions to the conference being arranged by Councillor Harvey. Councillor Coleman sought to emphasise the partnership link between the NHS and the local authority to identify ways in which the health and wellbeing of residents could be supported during this period.
Nadia Taylor commented that Healthwatch had received many calls about difficulties in contacting GPs and suggested that a pre-paid SIM card could be given to vulnerable patients, or that a social worker or district nurse could maintain links with known patients through their GPs. People were very concerned about communicating with healthcare professionals. Phillipa Johnson noted the suggestion and added that they had looking at similar suggestions such as offering a warm space at Parkview and the creation of a warmth hub. Councillor Alex Sanderson added to the range of suggestions for example, an afterschool homework club and for which equalities funding was being sought. Other suggestions included hot water bottles, thermos flasks and hand warmers. Lisa Redfern welcomed the ideas being explored and confirmed that these were all suggestions that council was considering and that could be part of a framework of measures that would be deliverable by building an alliance with a wide range of organisations.
ACTION:
NHS colleagues to investigate the cost of calling a GP, and whether there was any scope for mitigating actions such as providing a SIM card.
RESOLVED
That the report was noted.