Agenda item
Public Health Transfer Update
This report updates members of the Health Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the progress being made in preparing for the transfer of public health functions from NHS Brent to the council.
Minutes:
A report was presented to the committee by Phil Newby (Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Improvement) and Alison Eliot (Director of Adult Social Care) updating members on the progress made in preparing for the transfer of public health functions from NHS Brent to the council. The transfer would take effect as of 1 April 2013, as required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
The report set out the agreed arrangements for the transfer of staff from NHS Brent to the council. Brent would have 19 public health staff split between the Adult Social Care department and Environment and Neighbourhood Services department. There would be a Director of Public Health (DPH) for Brent, who would manage the public health staff and would report to the Director of Adult Social Care. There would also be two public health consultants which would work across both departments on public health activity. A review would be held of the effectiveness of the functions and structure of the staffing arrangements after a period of 12 months. It was envisaged that all staff, with the exception of the DPH, would be appointed by the middle of February 2013. As the comparable DPH position was currently vacant in NHS Brent the council was in the process of recruiting to the post. However, it was considered unlikely a DPH would be in post in time for 1 April 2013.
The report also highlighted the current work taking place to ensure the successful transfer of existing contracts for public health services. The Executive had agreed that the majority of public health contracts would be extended and continued in 2013/14. The transfer of these contracts would take place under a statutory transfer arrangement (transfer order) and would take effect from 1 April 2013. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the existing contract arrangements, officers were currently examining each contract individually to ensure it could be extended and included within the transfer order. It was emphasised that the council was committed to reviewing and re-commissioning public health services over the coming two years to comply with the council’s procurement rules and ambitions for public health.
Phil Newby advised the committee that the public health allocation for the next two years had been better than anticipated and exceeded the baseline estimate of £16.007m. The ring fenced public health allocation would be £18.355m for 2013/14 and £18.848m for 2014/15. This would allow the council to meet contract and staffing costs and also have funding for development opportunities in public health. A working budget was in place for 2013/14 and an indicative budget was being developed for 2014/15.
During discussion a member queried the current uptake of drug and alcohol services and the arrangements in place for sign posting service users to other appropriate services. Noting the three contracts that would not be extended in to 2013/14, the committee sought further details regarding alternative provision, particularly in relation to the Young Addaction – teenage pregnancy services and sexual health services for young people. Several queries were raised in relation to the structure and arrangements for public health staff. It was queried why the DPH was unlikely to be in post by 1 April 2013. A member also queried who would hold corporate responsibility for ensuring that teams who had not been used to supporting public health functions were doing so appropriately. Clarity was sought regarding public health staff within the Children and Families Department. A query was raised regarding the current number of public health staff compared to the number of posts transferring to the council. It was queried whether the public health consultants would be medical professionals.
Allison Elliot advised the committee that information on the take up of drug and alcohol services could be provided to the committee. These services were all delivered from the same location in Brent which eased the process of sign posting service users to other appropriate services. Brent was one of the most successful boroughs for treatment completion for these services. Information on Brent’s ranking for successful treatment completion would be circulated to the committee. With regard to the sexual health advice provided under the Young Addaction service, the committee was advised that the contract would continue.
Turning to the issue of corporate responsibility for public health functions, Alison Elliot advised that this would fall to the DPH, and whilst that post was vacant, to other public health colleagues and the Director of Adult Social Care. At present, there were 26 permanent public health staff and there would be 19 public health posts transferring to the council. It was confirmed to the committee that the public health consultants would be clinical consultants. With regard to public health staff in Children and Families, the committee heard that colleagues in Children and Families had worked with the NHS to identify what public health investment was needed for children’s services. This process was managed through the Adult Social Services commissioning board as it had capacity to support this. The committee was reminded that at present, the council did not have public health responsibilities for children under the age of 5 years old.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
Supporting documents:
- 2013-01-29_ public_health_report, item 10. PDF 93 KB
- 2013-01-29_public_health_lifestyles_structure, item 10. PDF 133 KB
- 2013-01-29_publich_health_commissioning_structure, item 10. PDF 136 KB
- 2013-01-29-public-health_environment_structure, item 10. PDF 136 KB