Agenda item - Covid-19 Update: Presentation

Officer presentation.

7.1       This item was presented by Rob Persey, BHCC Executive Director, Health & Adult Social Care; and by Ash Scarff, Deputy Managing Director, Brighton & Hove CCG. Mr Persey and Mr Scarff outlined the current local position in terms of Covid infections, vaccination take-up etc.

7.2 In response to a question from Cllr McNair on why city take-up of second jabs was relatively low, Mr Scarff responded that this is partly due to demographic factors: the city’s atypically young population profile means that fewer people are currently eligible for second jabs than the national average, hence the data shows lower percentage take-up.

7.3 The Chair noted that the fact that Brighton & Hove is a university city has been cited as a reason for high local infection rates. However, if this is the explanation, why are rates in Brighton & Hove higher than in some other university cities? Mr Persey responded that there are other factors in play also, including the generally young demographic of Brighton & Hove (even if university students are excluded) and the fact that the city has a large hospitality sector.

7.4 In response to a question from Fan McCabe on why vaccination rates in the 80+ age group were not yet at 100%, Mr Persey responded that this is something health and care partners are closely examining. However, some of the shortfall may simply be due to personal choice.

7.5 Cllr McNair asked what level local infection rates would have to reach before people were asked not to visit. Mr Persey replied that this would be dependent on national guidance, but that the likely trigger would be a dramatic impact on local NHS services.

7.6 In response to a question from the Chair about winter planning, Mr Scarff confirmed that planning for winter is ongoing and that a report on system winter plans will be referred to the HOSC in autumn 2020.

7.7 In response to a question from the Chair on long Covid, Mr Scarff told members that Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust has established a Post-Covid Assessment Service, and an enhanced local GP service will be launched. National data suggests that we may have to do even more in coming months.

7.8 In answer to a query from Cllr McNair about volunteers, Mr Scarff told the committee that volunteer numbers are currently robust. However, there is an awareness that it is essentially the same people volunteering all the time and that eventually fatigue may set in.

7.9 Health & Adult Social Care; and by Ash Scarff, Deputy Managing Director, Brighton & Hove CCG. Mr Persey and Mr Scarff outlined the current local position in terms of Covid infections, vaccination take-up etc.

7.10      In response to a question from Cllr McNair on why city take-up of second jabs was relatively low, Mr Scarff responded that this is partly due to demographic factors: the city’s atypically young population profile means that fewer people are currently eligible for second jabs than the national average, hence the data shows lower percentage take-up.

7.11      The Chair noted that the fact that Brighton & Hove is a university city has been cited as a reason for high local infection rates. However, if this is the explanation, why are rates in Brighton & Hove higher than in some other university cities? Mr Persey responded that there are other factors in play also, including the generally young demographic of Brighton & Hove (even if university students are excluded) and the fact that the city has a large hospitality sector.

7.12      In response to a question from Fan McCabe on why vaccination rates in the 80+ age group were not yet at 100%, Mr Persey responded that this is something health and care partners are closely examining. However, some of the shortfall may simply be due to personal choice.

7.13      Cllr McNair asked what level local infection rates would have to reach before people were asked not to visit. Mr Persey replied that this would be dependent on national guidance, but that the likely trigger would be a dramatic impact on local NHS services.

7.14      In response to a question from the Chair about winter planning, Mr Scarff confirmed that planning for winter is ongoing and that a report on system winter plans will be referred to the HOSC in autumn 2020.

7.15      In response to a question from the Chair on long Covid, Mr Scarff told members that Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust has established a Post-Covid Assessment Service, and an enhanced local GP service will be launched. National data suggests that we may have to do even more in coming months.

7.16      In answer to a query from Cllr McNair about volunteers, Mr Scarff told the committee that volunteer numbers are currently robust. However, there is an awareness that it is essentially the same people volunteering all the time and that eventually fatigue may set in.