Community Assembly: News and Update

Heather Aylward, Public Engagement Manager at the Integrated Care Board (ICB) presented an update on the Involvement and Engagement model, speaking about the development of patient groups, broadening engagement, working with the Patient Association and how to build on what works well. Discussion included ideas for overcoming the difficulties of capturing a wide representation of voices and how to gather information outside of personal experience.

Geoff Brown (Chief Executive) and Miriam Blom-Smith (Research Officer) of Healthwatch Hertfordshire then presented insightful headlines from two recent projects commissioned by the ICB Primary Care Transformation Programme:

• Public understanding, awareness and management of cardiovascular disease
• Adults with learning disabilities’ experiences of accessing GP services and support in living a healthy lifestyle

Relevant recommendations will be made to the ICB in the full reports.

Paul Opoku, Children and Young People Participation Co-ordinator at the ICB then shared his ambitious and exciting plans for future engagement with children and young people. He spoke about:

• His overall objectives and process
• The formation of a Youth Council
• Drawing a focus on children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Finally, Geoff Brown gave an update on the latest East and North Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership developments. This included:

• Priorities for children and young people being agreed across the system
• The Care Closer to Home Project using joined up neighbourhood teams
• Herts Health Care Providers Association to sit on Partnership Board
• Quality Group have carried out a ‘deep dive’ into Frailty and Respect – End of Life Needs