Agenda item

The Director of Public Health submits a report on the 0-19 Healthy Child

Programme, Best Start for Life Workforce Pilot and the Breastfeeding Rates in

Leicester.

The Director of Public Health submitted a report which was presented by the lead consultant in public health and family services manager at Leicestershire Partnership Trust, and it was noted that:

·       Healthy Together was recommissioned in October 2023 and will be delivered by Leicestershire Partnership Trust for the next seven years although it was noted that this is seen very much as a partnership.

·       Adjustments were required to reduce the budget and the specific start offer of help has been altered to a step-up step-down.

·       There are five mandated points of contact for children under 5 but would like to add further contact at 3-4months and 3-3½years which are being explored considering work pressures.

·       Digital contact is made with children in years 7, 9 and 11 which has been effective and will continue.

·       Key performance indicators have been developed to monitor performance of school nursing.

·       A Helpline has been introduced to enable families to access the support available more quickly.

·       Leicester compares favourably against the regional and national average and most other comparator cities generally despite workforce shortages and budget pressures. The service is achieving national mandated targets, but challenges exist particularly around antenatal performance which is 11% below the 60% target although assurance was provided that targeted work ensure vulnerable families are being identified and supported. 

·       A successful bid of £1.5m has been secured from the Department for Health & Social Care for the ‘Best Start to Life’ pilot in the city that will be used to provide additional funding to health partners and charities to explore opportunities for growing and developing the workforce and providing additional support to vulnerable families.

·       Breastfeeding rates vary across the city but overall are high and compare favourably with the national average. Work continues to encourage breastfeeding and the Best Start to Life programme includes initiatives to promote through Bumps to Babies and peer support in hospital as well as working with family hubs.

In response to Members comments and questions it was noted that:

·       The service was mandated by national guidelines during the pandemic and focus was targeted toward birth and postnatal support. Other contact with families shifted to virtual contact to ensure dialogue remained and concerns could be flagged. The introduction of the Helpline enables families to contact the service and support provided where necessary.

·       Challenges around workforce is recognised and the service have been successful in utilising skills mix to ensure school nurses and health visitors are supported by other skilled professions for families. The Best Start to Life programme intends to expand the skills mix and create further opportunities for staff to develop as well as apprentice and trainee nurses locally. The NHS workforce plan also includes focus on school nursing.

The Chair invited a youth representative to make comments in which it was noted in response that school nursing is vital and has been retained despite budget pressures but is not a mandatory offer. School nursing is a universal offer but often supports individuals with additional needs or where concerns are raised during digital health contact.

The Deputy City Mayor for Health, Social Care and Community Safety congratulated the team on securing Best Start to Life funding and expressed thanks to the successful performance despite workforce challenges and budget pressures to protect the service and promote school nursing. Further thanks were noted to Leicester Mammas for their support on breastfeeding.

AGREED:

·       The Commission noted the report.

·       The Commission celebrated the success of the service.