Decision details

To ensure that plans for the development of health and social care services are both integrated and founded on the views and experiences of service users, the Board is developing an Engagement Strategy. An initial approach and outline proposals were agreed at the Board in June 2013. This report will present a draft Engagement Strategy for the Board to consider.

Mark Tyson (Group Manager, Service Support and Improvement) introduced the report to the Board. Arising from the report the following issues or comments were raised:  

·  The web presence of the Board needs further work.

·  There is variation between the H&WBB sub-groups in terms of the range and use of engagement mechanisms that exist within the Partnership. As the sub-groups develop/mature they will better understand how to interact and make use of those engagement opportunities.

·  The Obesity Summit which is planned for 16 December will be a useful to see how the Board can engage with local stakeholders on an issue of strategic importance.

·  Service users with learning disabilities would benefit from Board related materials being more accessible. It was also noted that the Service User Group (within the Learning Disability Partnership Board) is finding the nature of the business presented to it challenging. Simplifying the business and making it more relevant to the lives of service users would improve engagement.

·  It was recommended that the Board’s development day event on 13January 2014 is used as an opportunity to develop the Board’s engagement mechanisms. The outcomes of the development day will then feed into the Board’s engagement strategy. 

The Board agreed to follow the approach set out in section 5 of the report, which was as follows:

·  To timetable a discussion at the next available meeting of each sub-group that explores the series of questions about mapping engagement across the Health and Wellbeing structure as set out in Appendix 1.