Chief Executive Report – August 2012
Author:Bob Hudson, Chief Executive
Date:21 August 2012 / Version:1
Distribution:
- Public Health Wales Executive Team
- Public Health Wales Board
Purpose and summary of document:
The purpose of this paper is to provide the Public Health Wales Board and Executive Team with a formal report on key issues from the Chief Executive.
The Chief Executive’s report will be presented to the Board at each formal meeting.
Date of Board Meeting:5 September 2012
Please state if the paper is for:
Discussion
Decision
Information / X
Date: 21 August 2012 / Version:1 / Page: 1 of 5
Public Health Wales / Chief Executive Report – June 2012
1Key issues
1.1NLIAH Consultation
A consultation is currently being undertaken with staff and stakeholders on the National Leadership and Innovation Agency in Healthcare (NLIAH). NLIAH provides a range of national services to NHS bodies in Wales and has been the subject of discussion since the reforms to the NHS in 2009. The functions of NLIAH include leadership, management development and OD, service improvement, commissioning non-medical and dental pre-registration training and a variety of more detailed functions. The current review is looking at the future location for key functions in the revised NHS system in Wales and also seeking to clarify the relationship between the NHS and Welsh Government in some areas. The current options paper contains recommendation that the service improvement functions of NLIAH be re-aligned to Public Health Wales to enable closer integration with the 1000 Lives+ Team. There is also a possibility that the NHS Equality Unit may transfer to Public Health Wales also. The Project Board will make final decisions at it’s meeting on the 17 September and subject to the outcome of the exercise Public Health Wales will need to put in place project arrangements to manage the transfer of functions into the organisation by the 31 March 2013.
1.2AAA Screening
Public Health Wales has now received formal confirmation from Welsh Government and from local Health Boards to an agreed funding package (both capital and revenue) to enable the implementation of the planned AAA Screening Programme. This marks another significant service development for Public Health Wales and brings Wales into line with other UK countries. It is anticipated that the new programme will commence in the summer of 2013.
1.3Health and Well Being Best Practice and Innovation Board – hosting arrangements
The Minister for Health and Social Services recently announced the establishment of a new Board to look at the systematic dissemination of Innovation and Best Practice across the NHS in Wales. The Board is being established for two years in the first instance and Mrs Jan Williams has been appointed by the Minister to Chair the Board. Public Health Wales has been asked if it will act as the organisational host for the new Board although the Chair and the Board will retain accountability through to Welsh Government. We are in the process of assisting with the establishment of the new group and drawing together a formal accountability agreement to clarify key roles and relationships. I will be representing NHS Wales Chief Executives on the Board once established.
1.4Microbiology – Hywel Dda Local Health Board
I have now received a formal request from the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda LHB that Public Health Wales extends its current SLA with them to incorporate the microbiology laboratory at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest. We have entered into discussions with the health board to discuss the detailed arrangements.This is consistent with the direction of travel for Public Health Wales with regard to those laboratories in Wales which currently sit outside the network run by ourselves.
1.5Optometric services and Optometric public health
Public Health Wales has been granted an additional £20,000 funding by Welsh Government to strengthen the optometric advice currently provided to health boards in Wales. Public Health Wales currently employs one part time Optometric Adviser and the additional funding will allow us to employ three sessional advisers to give better coverage to health boards across Wales. There are ongoing discussions with Welsh Government about strengthening the public health input into eye health more generally and this has emerged over the last year as a key priority for the Minister. There are a number of potential service development opportunities for Public Health Wales in this area and I have been asked as Chief Executive to represent Public Health Wales on the new national strategy board.
1.6Primary Care Support Service (PCSS)
Board members will be aware that during 2011 Welsh Government signalled its intention to withdraw funding from the Primary Care Support Service in order to fund a new Health for Healthcare Professionals service in Wales. Public Health Wales has continued to fund the PCSS during the transitional phase but the service will formally close at the end of September 2012. This has been a difficult transitional period for the staff of the PCSS and my thanks go to them for their professionalism in maintaining the current service during this period. We are working staff affected by this change to secure appropriate redeployment opportunities.
1.7Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) – Ageing Well Programme
The WLGA has initiated a new programme looking at the broad issue of ageing well. A board has been established with representation from Public Health Wales to take this work forward. The new board is being chaired by Sarah Rochira, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales. There is a considerable amount of work taking place on this agenda at a European level and it is likely that through this board Wales will position itself as a development site with the potential to attract significant European funding. I will keep the Board informed as this work develops further.
1.8Health Protection services during the Olympics
The Board are aware that Public Health Wales implemented a range of enhanced measures at the start of the Olympic period. Additional investment was secured from Welsh Government to pay for some of the costs incurred by the organisation. I would like to thank the staff of the Health Protection team for the work that they have done over recent months with many staff working additional hours to provide the necessary support. Work will continue until the close down of the games after the Paralympics are completed.
1.9Clinical Excellence Awards
The Public Health Wales ACCEA panel completed its work during August and we have submitted our views to the National Committee on new applications for bronze and silver awards and any renewals. I have also now been appointed as an employer member of the Welsh Committee which considers applications for clinical excellence awards.
1.10Launch of Champions for Health
The Champions for Health launch took place on the 15 August at the Welsh Institute for Sport in Sophia Gardens. Champions for Health is a pilot programme for NHS staff to sign up to taking action on improving aspects of their health through lifestyle changes in five key areas. Public Health Wales has led the development of this work in conjunction with 1000 Lives+ and Directors of Public Health and we received a great deal of positive publicity on the day. The campaign is now in its recruitment phase and will go live from October. The aim is to build upon the Olympic legacy and for those staff taking part to encourage people they come into contact with to also take up the challenge.
1.11National roles
Board members will be aware that over the last six months I have fulfilled the role as lead Chief Executive on behalf of the ten other CEOs in Wales. This role comes to an end at the beginning of September.
I have now taken up the role as Chairman of the Welsh division of the Institute of Healthcare Management and have agreed with David Sissling and Chief Executive colleagues to try to lead work to reinvigorate the Institute in Wales. This will involve me in some national commitments for the Institute also.
Date: 21 August 2012 / Version:1 / Page: 1 of 5