Agenda item

The Consultant in Public Health, along with some Board members, presented a number of slides included within the agenda pack.

The slides provided information on the impact of easing COVID-19 restrictions in the following areas:

·        Economic

·        Public Protection

·        Community Safety

·        Children’s Social Care

·        Adult Social Care

·        York Hospital

·        Community and Voluntary Sector

Some of the key points highlighted were:

·        York appeared to be taking a sensible approach to the lifting of restrictions with many still wearing face coverings in indoor and busy settings.

·        There were concerns around the quality and sustainability of some employment opportunities as well as concerns around matching skills to the employment vacancies available in the City.

·        There was an increase in demand for children’s social care services along with a change in the complexity of those coming forward. However, it was noted that it was positive that people were coming forward for early help.

·        There was a rise in complex mental and emotional wellbeing problems within children’s services.

·        There were major workforce issues and challenges around recruiting experienced social workers and other staff in adult social care. Work was ongoing around how to attract people to work in York.

·        The health and social care system was under pressure and this was a national issue.

·        The hospital had seen a rise in attendances and admissions which was not usual for this time of year.

·        There were workforce challenges within the hospital setting exacerbated by both long term vacancies and staff needing to self-isolate.

·        Routine work was taking place in the hospital but this had to be done in a safe way to avoid COVID infections within the hospital environment.

·        In terms of the voluntary sector; many charities were using their reserve funds to continue operating. There had been two charity closures within the last month and another very close to having to close. There had been an increase in demand, more complex cases and fewer staff and volunteers to provide voluntary sector services. At a time when the voluntary sector is needed more than ever it is struggling. The sector has its own workforce issues and as many contracts are short term it is difficult to recruit.

A Board member asked a question around the ability of the Council to maintain statutory services within adults’ and children’s social care, especially as some grants would stop soon. It was confirmed that work was happening around this and the system was doing its best to work together in partnership; however the whole system was under great pressure. A paper was being prepared at a regional level that could be used to ‘lobby’ against the cessation of grants and to highlight the pressures within the system.

Comments were made about the impacts on primary care and the pressures on this particular workforce; the fatigue they were experiencing and the significant backlog of work as a result of the pandemic situation.

It was also acknowledged, in response to a question from a Board member, that those that could confidently navigate the health and social care sector might have better health outcomes than others and this would undoubtedly lead to an increase in health inequalities within the system. It was already known that COVID-19 has affected people’s health and wellbeing unequally and this gap is higher in 2021 than it was in 2010.

The Board also acknowledged and endorsed the importance of working together as a system in all areas and that all partners had a key role to play in this and should be involved from the beginning.