Community Assembly: News and Update
The Community Assembly in November was another positive and well-attended meeting that covered a range of health and care topics. Please read on to find out how you could get involved, as we’re still looking for new members.
A summary of November’s Community Assembly agenda items:
Alan Bellinger – Chair of the Patient Engagement Forum (PEF) -presented an overview of the Forum, including its networking role and how it is bringing the patient voice to the Integrated Care Board.
Christine Oker - Programme Manager for Integrated Care (HCC) for the Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board – gave a detailed presentation on the Integrated Care Partnership Strategy and its delivery plans, expanding on the six priority areas.
Michelle Hicks - Senior Primary Care Manager for Transformation, Integration, Development and Delivery for East and North Herts - presented on the latest developments in the Primary Care Strategic Delivery Plan, which now includes pharmacy, optometry and dentistry. Key developments included upgrades to GP telephony, access to records, and winter plans.
Miriam Blom-Smith – Research Officer at Healthwatch Hertfordshire – presented on Healthwatch’s latest research projects which are due to be presented to the Primary Care Board in January. One project explored patient self-management of Type 2 Diabetes, and public awareness of the condition, the other focused on uptake and experience of Cervical Screenings, including barriers to attendance.
Sam Tappenden - Development Director for the East and North Herts Health and Care Partnership (ENHHCP) – gave a brief update on Partnership Developments and then focussed on some key achievements including the award-winning hospital at home service and the new integrated heart failure service. He then talked about change and opportunities for transformation and improvement of services.
Joy Hale - Senior Communications and Engagement Manager for Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB – and Hannah Estrada-Bartlett - Project Coordinator for the East and North Herts Health and Care Partnership - led an item on expanding patient and community engagement. They saw the Community Assembly as a multi-level engagement model, before presenting on existing engagement approaches and demonstrating how current examples are aligning with different Health and Care Partnership priority pathways.
Lastly, Simon Barfoot - Healthy Lifestyles Programme Officer at East Herts District Council – shared some work on public health funded place-based projects in his area such as working with homelessness cohorts, sofa surfers and night shelters to consider their holistic needs and develop trust and relationships. Their work involves local residents with a view to community integration. The projects work closely with residents and partners on healthy lifestyle opportunities to determine priorities and find out what they want to turn into action.
Next Community Assembly
Our next Community Assembly will take place online on Friday 16th February from 9.30 am until 11.30 am. Visit this event page to find our more and register your interest.
Assembly details, including agenda items, will be sent out closer to the time.
