Issue - meetings

This report provides the Executive with a proposal for the future provision of a Healthy Child Service in York.

Resolved: That the Executive approve Option Three – to allow the contracts for the existing health visiting, school nursing and National Child Measurement Programme to end on 31 March 2016 and create an “in house” provision with a new delivery model with effect from 1 April 2016.

Reason:    Given the imperative to ensure that the establishment of a new Healthy Child Service supports the delivery of the transformation programme already in progress across children’s services and, in particular, the offer provided by Children’s Centres and Youth Services, including Castlegate, this is the option that provides the greatest flexibility and value for money.  It will also facilitate local integration with health services for children and young people that are delivered by NHS organisations such as York Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Children’s Services, Education and Skills on proposals for the future provision of a Healthy Child Service in the city. The current commissioning arrangements meant that the Healthy Child Programme (HCP) for 5-19 years was currently the responsibility of the City of York Council through a contact with the York Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. With the transfer, on 1 October 2015, of 0-5 child public health services commissioning this would complete the transfer of public health responsibilities to local authorities.

It was noted that the Council intended to develop a new Healthy Child Service which would offer an integrated child and family centred approach and deliver the HCP 0-19 years and that consultation on the new arrangements had been co-ordinated by the Children’s Trust Unit. The challenges that the new delivery model would need to address together with details of the three phase delivery programme and associate implications were set out in full in the report.

Officers referred to the unique opportunity this provided to integrate services and improve outcomes for children and deliver a more family focussed and community based service. They confirmed that it was standard practice to consult with all Unions in relation to any staff changes and that they understood the concerns raised earlier in the meeting which would be examined as part of the ongoing work, and during staff consultation.

The Executive Member thanked earlier speakers for their comments and confirmed that the specialist school nursing service was not included in the proposals and would remain in schools. 

Some Members expressed concern at the delivery timetable and following further discussion consideration was given to the following options:

Option 1 – Do not re-procure a new service

Option 2 – To re-procure a new service through competitive tender

Option 3 – To allow the existing contracts for health visiting, school nursing and National Child Measurement Programme to lapse on 31 March 2016 and create an “in house” provision based on the recommended model for the new 0-19 Healthy Child Service from 1 April 2016

Resolved: That the Executive approve Option Three – to allow the contracts for the existing health visiting, school nursing and National Child Measurement Programme to end on 31 March 2016 and create an “in house” provision with a new delivery model with effect from 1 April 2016. ^1.

Reason:    Given the imperative to ensure that the establishment of a new Healthy Child Service supports the delivery of the transformation programme already in progress across children’s services and, in particular, the offer provided by Children’s Centres and Youth Services, including Castlegate, this is the option that provides the greatest flexibility and value for money.  It will also facilitate local integration with health services for children and young people that are delivered by NHS organisations such as York Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.