Agenda item - Chair's Communications

21.1    The Chair gave the following communications:

Firstly, we have a new member on HOSC. I’d like to welcome Cllr Ty Galvin who will join the committee as an independent member. He replaces Cllr Bruno De Oliveira.

We’re looking at some important issues today. I know that dentistry and particularly the problems of being able to access an NHS dentist is a matter of concern for people living in the city, as it is for people across the country. We have a paper on dentistry presented by NHS Sussex which commissions local NHS dental services. We’re also joined by Sussex dental practitioners.

We also have a paper on local health inequalities presented by NHS Sussex and by the council’s public health team. I’m sure members will be aware of the stark health inequalities we face locally, and will also be aware that this is a growing problem. We’ll hear today about some of the work that’s being done to tackle these inequalities.

Finally, we have a presentation from NHS Sussex on the major changes that are taking place in the NHS at the moment, including progress on the merger of Sussex and Surrey Integrated Care Boards and on the move to a more strategic approach to NHS commissioning.