Agenda and minutes

Present: Rutendo Nyatsine (Co Chair) RN, Cllr James Hill (JH), Denise Birkett (DB – NHS Dental), Matthew Toreson (MT –Voluntary Impact Northampton, NBC, LGBTQ Forum), Nicholas Stevens (NS – Police), Pauline Woodhouse (PW – BMESRP), John Rawlings (JR – Quakers), Anjona Roy (AR – Northamptonshire Roghts & Equality Council), Tendai Ndongwe (TN-NHFT), Thom Cosgrove (TC- NHFT), Alice Morgan (AM – NBC), Nisha Mejer (NM- NBC)*

*Took minutes

Apologies :Cllr Malpas,

RN welcomed everyone to the meeting 

AR: correction on page 2: The NREC Hate Crime event took place as part of National Hate Crime Week.

AM asked to have someone from the education department at NCC but no one was available. AM spoke to Morcea Walker who is compiling a report which will be ready in Jan 2016 and is happy to attend the Forum.

AR suggested that the forum is given the opportunity to relate to policy rather than talk about someone gathering information.

ACTION: recommended that the Forum contact Janet Doran and invite to the next meeting.

JR stated that he attended the Pensioner’s Forum meeting and said that the attendance was low. This can be expensive and frustrating for organisations presenting.

ACTION: PW to give contacts of people who want to attend Forums. AM/NM to contact.

Equality and Inclusion Team, Northamptonshire Health Foundation Trust

- Thom Cosgrove

John Leivers from NHFT’s Patient Involvement Team could not attend. Tendai Ndongwe and Thom Cosgrove from the Equality and Inclusion presented instead.

A video was shown to the Forum members. Video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TjnpGQiG4ts

TN also handed out a presentation about BME Reverse Commissioning.

Reverse Commissioning is a pilot project that involves implementing value-based commissioning from BME communities to improve access, services and patient experiences for BME service users. RC also supports NHS organisations to better engage with BME communities and is an effective tool to address ethnic health inequalities using information and learning outcomes to influence commissioning by local Clinical Commissioning Groups.

TN explained the project model and is working with BMESRP, Somali groups, Community Church Groups etc. Would like to open the project to other communities including Eastern European groups. The organisation wants to collect data from ethnic groups. There is an under representation of BME groups accessing mental services.

PW added that according to BME demographics, there is a lower percentage of people coming through. Looking at reasoning why this is.

ACTION: NM to share presentation with Forum members.

TN explained that this project is commissioned by CCGs. As a provider the group can be as inclusive as possible. However, there is very limited funding.

AR enquired as to how different focus groups can be tied in together. Accepts that funding is tight but would like to see objectives being set which meets with the Equality Act.

PW said that she has been involved with the project and will take on board points made. At the first stage, a list of action points was gathered. Now, the project is moving on to stage 2. This is still a work in progress.

TN added that the passion is clear from the groups and people are coming forward to give their time. Will highlight to groups that there is budget for expenses. The model is being trialled in mental health and will expand to other areas.

TN also invited people to be on a panel to interview for Director of Nursing.

DB gave an overview of the work that Dental Health Services does. November is Mouth Cancer Awareness Month. Mouth Cancer is on the rise and more prevalent in certain communities especially where the substance paan is used.

The organisation works with children, the elderly and people with special needs as well as other groups.

DB highlighted the importance of hygiene and oral health as lack of hygiene can be linked to other illnesses. The organisation will work with groups and communities from all areas.

Lack of health care of teeth on children has an impact on diet and social issues can occur. Northamptonshire has the highest number of children admitted to hospital due with these issues. This may be due to good reporting.

PW asked for a breakdown of data and the ethnicity of people. DB stated that this information is now being asked for.

The team visits special needs schools but don’t have the resources to visit every school. School surveys were phased out 10 -12 years ago. Therefore need parents support to implement and educate parents on what they buy for their children. DB has found it difficult to penetrate schools.

JR also suggested working with Health Visitors.

AR suggested that DB contact the Supplementary Schools. AR questioned how many BME groups attended free dental services. There isn’t enough awareness of the dangers of paan.

PW highlighted that the African and Caribbean communities eat sweet fruit. It would be beneficial for them to have a drop in service. DB said that the organisation carries out training sessions with service providers and distributes material in different languages.

DB has tried to engage with travellers via Home Start. However, from previous experience meetings have been cancelled at short notice.

PW suggested changing the strategy as to way travellers are approached.

DB said that there is complete exemption of costs for certain groups. Forms are available in GP surgeries, Pharmacies and hospitals. Patients need to ask for a HC1 form.

AM suggested that DB could attend community fun days held in priority areas as part of Weeks of Action and wider engagement. There is also a Women’s Forum health day taking place in June next year.

PW thanked everyone who attended the Black History event. Will send a written feedback.

AM advised that a Black History Month calendar was not produced as details for only 3 events were sent through – these details were instead circulated independently. AM asked people to send further information of Black History Month 2016 events through, in order for a calendar of events to be coordinated.

AM added that the Diwali workshops were well attended by people of all ages and communities, and that the Diwali event was a great success.

MT stated that solar no longer exists as charity. MT is part of a working group looking to set up a new style of support group for HIV + people. Please contact MT for further information, or to be part of the process. 

AM commented that Luisa Jepson is no longer working for Northants Police as Hate Crime Coordinator.ACTION: The Forum would like to send a card to say thank you for her work.

AR highlighted that the Hate Crime event was a success at All Saints Church. This was part of Hate Crime Week. AM has received 17 responses for Hate Crime Survey.

ACTION: AM and NM to send paper copies to AR.

There is a proposed privatisation of Police Control Room and the Forum raised concerns about the impact of this.

ACTION: AM to create a draft letter to send.

AR: Next year is the 40^th anniversary Race Relations Act. Would like to this to be discussed for next meeting.

AM: Council Tax consultation to be sent out.

NIFF seminar 18^th November – held as part of Interfaith Week.

AM informed the Forum of the Public Spaces Protection Order consultation which is now live and on the NBC website.

ACTION: AM /NM to send out the consultation to the Forum.

Chief Inspector Gary Ashton is now the lead for Hate Crime.

World AIDS Day ceremony is taking place on 1^st December at the Guildhall at 12pm.

International Day for Persons with Disability event is taking place on 3^rd Dec at the One Shop. 11am -3pm.

21 January 2016, The Jeffrey Room, The Guildhall 18.30 – 20.30

21 January 2016. 6.30pm – 8.30pm. The Guildhall.