Agenda item - Shared Delivery Plan (SDP): Progress Report

32.1    This item was introduced by Chas Walker, Programme Director, Integrated Service Transformation. Also presenting were Steve Hook, Tanya Brown-Griffith, Dr Adam Fazakerley, Tory Lawrence and Joanna Martindale (Hangleton & Knoll Project).

32.2    Mr Walker told the Board that, of the 13 Shared Delivery Plan (SDP) objectives 10 were on track, one had been delayed and 2 were off-track. Ms Brown-Griffith told members that one of the off-track objectives was the development of a women’s health hub. There is a local pilot which ends in February and a city women’s health hub model will be subsequently developed. The other off-track priority is young people mental health transition. Work required here includes the close alignment of mental health, learning disability and autism services; improvement in help & advice services; and the development of a 16-18 neurodivergent pathway. Steve Hook told the Board that the council has recently adopted a Transition Strategy and has some funding to employ a programme manager to help embed the strategy. Mr Walker said that there would be a detailed report on the off-track areas at a future Board meeting.

32.3    Dr Fazakerley explained how the East Brighton health hub operates. The hub has been a success. It has helped that University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has been extremely supportive and that funding has been provided by a local GP practice. Ms Martindale and Ms Lawrence explained how the West health hub operates, noting that this functions across a number of venues rather than from a single base.

32.4    Cllr Halliwell commented that there have been very different approaches to health hubs in the east and the west of the city. Ms Martindale agreed, noting that this was because the hubs had utilised the assets available within each area. For example, while the east hub was relatively focused, the west hub had to cover quite a large geographical area, stretching from Mile Oak to the Knoll, and it was decided that the best approach here would be to hold a series of events at different community locations rather than expecting people to travel to one site. There is no right or wrong health hub model, but to be successful a hub needs to adopt a model that reflects the needs and assets of its community. Dr Fazakerley added that there is a long term ambition to develop hubs in the east, west and centre of Brighton & Hove.

32.5    Cllr Halliwell asked how the hubs were publicised. Ms Martindale replied that GP patients were targeted. There was also a range of community engagement via social media, flyers and other means. To date, attendance has spilt around 50/50 in terms of whether visitors heard of health hubs from GP communications or community advertising.

32.6    The Chair asked about the percentage of communities who have attended health hubs. Mr Walker replied that this information is not available. There will be evaluation in terms of how effectively the hubs have engaged with the most at risk communities.

32.7    Cllr Alexander asked for more details on the women’s health hub. Dr Fazakerley responded that this had initially been hosted within a GP surgery. However, demand had been very high, and the challenge is to develop a sustainable model that can be delivered at scale and over a long period of time.

32.8    Cllr Alexander asked about the number of appointments at the women’s health hub compared to attendance at the hubs in East and West Sussex. Dr Fazakerley replied that it is difficult to compare the hubs in this way because of very different demographics. The sheer number of GP surgeries operating in Brighton & Hove also complicates the picture.

32.9    Cllr Alexander asked when the new transitions programme manager would be recruited. Mr Hook responded that the plan is to complete this recruitment in early 2026.

32.10  Tom Lambert noted that CVS organisations were critical to the success of health hubs. Ms Martindale concurred and added that it was important that the key role played by the sector was recognised.

32.11  Monica Fletcher noted that it was good to hear about the success of the Brighton & Hove health hub pilots. This is a key area of ambition for the ICB, which will be evaluating the performance of health hub pilots from across Surrey and Sussex. A particular positive from Brighton & Hove has been the active engagement from the acute trust.

32.12  Cllr Alexander enquired what is being done in other parts of the city. Mr Walker replied that there is also lots of work happening in the centre of the city. For reasons of time, it was not possible to include this work in the Board presentation.

32.13  The Chair asked how many women’s health hubs would be needed across the city. Ms Brown-Griffith replied that this would depend on NHS England deciding on funding and the types of contracts it aims to award. However, it is clear that there is really high demand for holistic, non-medicalised hubs offering a range of medical and non-medical services across multiple sites, potentially with roving services also. Dr Lang noted that public health is committed to helping develop this model and is deeply involved in many women’s health initiatives.

32.14 RESOLVED – that the report be noted.